MLB Player News

Stanton (groin) was activated off the disabled list Tuesday, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

This comes as a surprise to many, as Stanton said that he didn't expect to be ready to play until the last week of the season. Given the fact the slugger hasn't finished full rehab yet, there's a good chance he'll only be used as a pinch hitter for the time being, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. However, if Stanton stays healthy as the rest of the month plays out, he could be ready to rejoin the starting lineup by the end of the month. The full extent of Stanton's availability is unknown right now, but it should become clearer once it's evident how his groin responds to activity.

Carpenter is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Pirates.

Carpenter has been scuffling at the plate as of late (.452 OPS in his last seven games), so he'll get a day off to recharge and get back to his regular ways. Kolten Wong will man the keystone in his stead, while Matt Adams rounds out that side of the infield.

Blackmon (back) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Giants, Nick Kosmider of the Denver Post reports.

It seems that Blackmon's back hasn't fully healed yet, so the 30-year-old outfielder will sit out of his fourth game in a row. Raimel Tapia will take over for him as the center fielder and leadoff hitter once again.

Belt is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's matchup with the Rockies, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Between Belt's recent struggles at the plate (no hits in his last 18 at-bats) and the fact that he was hit in the helmet with a pitch Sunday, it seems the Giants want to give Belt a bit more rest as they gear up for a postseason push. Buster Posey will slide over to first base to cover his absence.

As expected, Ozuna (wrist) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

It was reported Sunday that Ozuna would be out until Thursday or Friday, and it appears that timeline has not changed. Christian Yelich will make another start in center field Tuesday in Ozuna's place.

McCutchen hit his 20th home run of the season Monday in a 12-6 loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

McCutchen now has six straight seasons with 20 home runs, although is batting average of .253 is way down from the .292 mark he posted a year ago. McCutchen has just 60 RBI on the year, a mark that can probably be chalked up to bad luck, considering the Pirates are top-five in the MLB in on-base percentage, and McCutchen is hitting .295 with runners in scoring position.

Harper is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals, according to MASN's Dan Kolko.

Harper has been swinging a hot bat for a few weeks, but manager Dusty Baker decided to hold out most of his regulars Monday, so Harper will get a day off for the first time since he sat out three straight games in mid-August with a sore neck. Brian Goodwin will get the start in right field in Harper's place.

Belt (head) is back in the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly reports.

Belt took a pitch to the helmet Sunday, but he passed all subsequent concussion tests and won't miss any time. The veteran is in the lineup at first base Monday, and he'll bat seventh in the order against the Rockies' Chad Bettis.

Blackmon (back) remains out of the lineup Monday against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

It will be the third consecutive absence for Blackmon, who continues to nurse tightness in his back. The Rockies will again go with Raimel Tapia in center field, and he'll serve as the leadoff man for the third straight game.

Cespedes is out of the lineup for Monday's matinee against the Reds.

The Mets arrived in Cincinnati in the middle of the night following their Sunday night game against the Nationals and face the Reds at 12:10 p.m. local time. Manager Terry Collins opted to rest some of his veterans -- Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes -- though each should be available to pinch hit.