MLB Player News

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a homer, two RBI and two runs Thursday against the Cubs.

He's been hot for nearly a week now, ripping off two homers among 10 hits in 25 at-bats (.400) over a six-game span. Looking at the stats right now, his has been a disastrous season for Stanton, but a productive end to June and then a big second half will make everyone forget about his early struggles. If anyone can be counted on to do just that, it's the Marlins' slugging right fielder.

Soler (hamstring) is now taking batting practice, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

It sounds like Soler, now more than two weeks removed from suffering a left hamstring strain, is inching closer to a minor league rehab assignment although the team has not provided any sort of timetable for him to join an affiliate. Soler raised his OPS nearly 150 points in his final 15 games before hitting the DL with five multi-hit games and three home runs over that span.

Cespedes (wrist) could play in Thursday's game against Atlanta, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

Although not in the starting lineup, the Mets are saying Cespedes could substitute or pinch hit Thursday. The 30-year-old received a cortisone shot Wednesday which apparently improved his wrist enough where he could play if needed.

Ozuna had two hits and scored a run in Wednesday's win over the Braves.

The 25-year-old outfielder continues to rake with a strong .323/.375/.571 slash over 266 at-bats. He's been the Marlins' best hitter for the majority of the season while chipping in 15 home runs and 43 RBI to go along with 45 runs scored.

As expected, Cespedes (wrist) will sit out of Thursday's contest at Atlanta.

Cespedes received good news Wednesday night and will avoid a trip to the disabled list. However, he may be forced to sit out a few games after receiving a cortisone injection on his left wrist. Alejandro De Aza will receive the start in center field Thursday while Cespedes is out.

Belt is out of the lineup Thursday against the Pirates.

The Giants are giving several veterans the day off for Thursday's day game, and Belt certainly deserves the break, having notched eight hits, including two home runs, over his last six games. Buster Posey will start at first base and hit cleanup Thursday.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Thursday against the Giants, the Pittsburgh Tribune's Rob Biertempfel reports.

The veteran will get the day game off Thursday, as the Pirates look to do anything that will get him going at the dish. His slash line has fallen to .238/.315/.401, and while he got off to a slow start in 2015 as well, he had already turned things around at this point last year. Gregory Polanco will start in center field and hit third while Matt Joyce and Sean Rodriguez occupy the outfield corners.

Cespedes, who exited Wednesday's game in the fifth inning due to left wrist discomfort, is dealing with a wrist sprain, received a cortisone shot and is considered day-to-day, David Lennon of Newsday reports.

It appears that while Cespedes could miss a few games because of the issue, he's avoided any major issues and possibly a trip to the disabled list. The team heads to Atlanta for the opener of a four-game set Thursday, but Cespedes will reportedly skip that contest at a minimum. More information on a potential timetable should be on the way in the coming days.

Cespedes was pulled from Wednesday's game after the fifth inning due to left wrist discomfort, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

It appeared that Cespedes was in some pain after taking a swing during his at-bat in the bottom of the fifth inning. The training staff came out to check on him, but he remained in the game until the end of the inning when Alejandro De Aza took over in center field. The Mets' slugger will likely be evaluated soon and more information regarding the injury should follow.

Stanton is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Braves.

Stanton struggles at the plate continued as he struck out twice and had zero hits in five at-bats during Tuesday's loss to the Braves. Ichiro Suzuki will start in right field instead and lead off in order to get more lefties in the lineup to face right-hander John Gant.