MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk against the Rockies on Wednesday.

The first baseman had been mired in an 0-for-18 slump -- including an 0-for-3 day at Coors Field on Monday that resulted in an off day Tuesday -- but a second chance to hit in Colorado seemingly cured what's been ailing him. Of course, now the Giants have to return to real life, but with a series in Arizona next, Belt's bat could continue heating up.

Pederson is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

The Dodgers are deploying an all-righty lineup Wednesday (with the exception of Corey Seager and pitcher Brock Stewart) against southpaw Robbie Ray. Enrique Hernandez will get the start in center field and hit second.

Blackmon (back) remains out of the lineup Wednesday against the Giants.

it was reported Tuesday that Blackmon was "close" to rejoining the lineup, and he will need at least one more day to rest his ailing back. Raimel Tapia will once again lead off and patrol center field against the Giants.

Soler is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

It's a stretch to call Soler the Cubs' starting left fielder, as he has only started five of the last 10 games, but he plays as much as anyone out in left. He is hitting just .236/.338/.425 in 127 at-bats against righties this season, so that's a big part of the reason why he is sitting in favor of Chris Coghlan with righty Matt Garza on the mound for the Brewers.

Ozuna (wrist) is in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Phillies, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports.

Ozuna was expected to be sidelined at least another day or two, but it was reported Tuesday night that he had a chance to play Wednesday, and it turns out he will do just that. Ozuna has manned center field all season, but Christian Yelich played there in his absence, and he will remain in center Wednesday while Ozuna plays right field. Ozuna will also hit fifth in the Marlins' batting order against Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson.

Carpenter hit a game-tying pinch-hit solo homer in his only at-bat Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

Carpenter's homer off Tony Watson tied a wild game at six before St. Louis piled on more runs to pull away in the top of the ninth. This effort should get the third baseman going after he was struggling heading into what was supposed to be a routine day off. Expect him back in the lineup moving forward.

Cespedes went 1-for-4 with a walk and a go-ahead, two-run homer in the Mets' 5-3 win over the Reds on Tuesday.

The 412-foot blast to center field came in the seventh inning with the Mets trailing 3-2, and eventually proved to be the game winner. Cespedes leads the Mets in batting average (.293), home runs (28), and RBI (70), and has been even better of late, going .321/.397/.679 over his last 15 games.

Stanton made a surprise return from a groin injury Tuesday night, delivering a pinch hit single in the fifth inning.

It's encouraging to see Stanton back in action, especially as it appeared he would lose the rest of this season to injury. Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters Tuesday that Stanton would be limited to pinch-hitting until further notice, so he holds little fantasy value until he's back in the starting lineup.

Manager Walt Weiss said Tuesday that Blackmon (back) is "close" to returning to action, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post reports.

Weiss's statement is undeniably vague, but it does provide reason to believe Blackmon will be able to return to the lineup at some point over the next several days.

Ozuna (wrist) could play in Wednesday's game against the Phillies, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports.

Ozuna was not expected to be ready to return until Thursday or Friday, but it appears there is a chance he could get back on the field a little earlier than expected. Ozuna's status for Wednesday's game will be known when the Marlins release their lineup for the contest several hours prior to first pitch.