MLB Player News

Carpenter, who recently returned from an oblique injury, left Saturday's game early, Fox Sports Midwest reports.

Seeing Carpenter leave his second game since being activated off the disabled list should be a concern, but manager Mike Matheny said he checked out fine with the medical team.

Belt went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run, two RBI and two runs in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals on Saturday.

The first baseman doubled in a run during the fifth then smashed a solo bomb in the ninth. Belt has recorded two three-hit games already this month. He is hitting .287 with 13 homers, 55 RBI and 53 runs in 373 at-bats.

Pederson is out of Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox.

Pederson has played in the last 13 games, but will start Saturday's game on the bench as Enrique Hernandez gets the nod in center. After homering in three consecutive games to close out July, Pederson has cooled off, going just 2-for-11 since then.

McCutchen went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and his fourth stolen base Friday.

Following a three-game benching to unplug, the center fielder attempted two stolen bases with head-first slides -- an indication of his freshness (he returned to first base following a foul ball on the other attempt). McCutchen is still trying to find his way at the plate, however. He struck out looking with a runner on third base and one out in the eighth inning of a one-run game.

Soler (hamstring) hit a three-run homer in his return to the lineup Friday.

Soler's home run came in his first plate appearance in nearly two months. It's been a disappointing season for the talented youngster, but he survived the trading deadline and should be a valuable part of the Cubs' outfield rotation during the last two months and postseason.

Soler (hamstring) has been activated from the 15-day disabled list and he will bat sixth in the order Friday against Oakland.

After a nearly two-month absence due to a hamstring injury, Soler returns to the Cubs' lineup Friday. Manager Joe Maddon took advantage of the fact that the Cubs are playing in an American League park this weekend, which allows him to plug Soler in as the DH. Soler was slashing .223/.322/.377 with five home runs and 36 strikeouts over 130 at-bats prior to landing on the disabled list. The Cubs have yet to announce a corresponding move for activating Soler.

McCutchen is back in the lineup Friday against the Reds, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The five-time All-Star did not play at all during the Atlanta series, as the team looked to recharge McCutchen's batteries after a .204/.259/.296 start to the second half. McCutchen's plate skills have slipped this year, with his walk rate dipping by more than five percent while his strikeout rate has jumped in the wrong direction, but he's earned everyday at-bats for the Pirates and should remain active in most formats.

Carpenter (oblique) was activated from the DL on Friday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Carpenter will return Friday to face Braves right-hander Joel De La Cruz following a successful four-game rehab stint with Double-A Springfield (4-for-12 with a double and a homer). Carpenter was enjoying a great season before the oblique injury put him on the shelf in early July, slashing .298/.420/.568, and he should continue to provide excellent four-category production while batting atop the Cardinals' order.

Belt is out of the lineup Friday against the Nationals.

He is hitting just .190/.342/.286 in the second half, so while his numbers on the season are still pretty impressive, he's scuffling quite a bit at the plate, specifically in the power department. Buster Posey will get the start at first base and hit cleanup Friday.

Cespedes (quad) had an MRI on Thursday which revealed no further damage to his injured quadriceps, Matt Ehalt of The Record reports.

Cespedes had been dealing with the injury for several weeks but an aggravation during Wednesday's game forced him to the DL. On the bright side, his medical evaluations revealed no structural damage and he should be able to return from the DL once eligible on Aug. 18, assuming his rehab goes smoothly.