MLB Player News

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.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Thursday's tilt with Atlanta.

As expected, McCutchen is out of the lineup for the final game of the series with Atlanta Thursday. The Pirates wanted to give him several games off to unplug with hopes that it jumpstarts McCutchen heading into the playoff push. Matt Joyce gets the start in his place with Starling Marte sliding over to center field.

Carpenter (oblique) will be activated prior to Friday's game against the Braves, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reports.

He made his fourth and final rehab start Wednesday for Double-A Springfield and will use Thursday as a rest/travel day before joining the Cardinals for the weekend series at home against the Braves. Carpenter will return to the leadoff spot immediately, but he will move around in the field, primarily seeing time at third base and second base. Owners should be prepared to deploy him immediately upon is activation Friday.

Manager Terry Collins stated after Wednesday's game that Cespedes (quad) will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, James Wagner of the New York Time reports.

After sitting out of the starting lineup the previous three days (he pinch hit Tuesday), Cespedes returned to the starting lineup, going 1-fo-5 on the night. The quad must still be giving him troubles, enough so that he will skip 15 more days at a minimum. Had he not played either of the past two days, the team would be able to backdate the injury, but the soonest he can return now comes Aug. 19 against the Giants. Michael Conforto could see increased playing time in Cespedes' absence, but the team recalled Brandon Nimmo to replace Cespedes on the 25-man roster and should be in the mix as well.

Cespedes aggravated his quad inning in his final at-bat Wednesday and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes has been trying to play through the injury for several weeks but finally will be shut down due to it. Brandon Nimmo, who was just sent down Tuesday, is being called back up to replace Cespedes on the 25-man roster.

The Pirates are expected to keep McCutchen on the bench for both Wednesday and Thursday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Including Monday's off day, that would give the center fielder four full days of rest prior to Friday's home game against Cincinnati. Pittsburgh has to hope the time away gives McCutchen enough of a break to reset both on the field and off -- he was critical of the team's recent deadline deals.

As expected, Cespedes is hitting third as the designated hitter for the Mets on Wednesday.

Manager Terry Collins indicated on Tuesday that Cespedes would be the Mets' DH as they face the Yankees and Tigers on the road the next five games. This will give more time for Cespedes to rest his quad in the coming days.