MLB Player News

Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a home run, his MLB-leading 15th of the season, and scored twice in Monday's 7-1 victory over the Nationals.

The home run propelled him past sluggers Nolan Arenado and Todd Frazier for the league's top spot. His 36 RBI are best in the NL while his 1.092 OPS is second-best in the majors (behind only David Ortiz). Cespedes has put his name among the most elite players in the league, and there's no reason to believe he will slow down as the season goes on.

Ozuna hit his ninth home run as part of a 3-for-4 game with two runs scored in Monday's win over the Rays.

Ozuna extended his hitting streak to five games and now has six extra-base hits (including two homers) in that stretch. The lack of power from Ozuna in 2015 -- just 10 home runs and a .383 slugging percentage in 123 games -- was a big reason why he fell out of favor by the end of the season. But Ozuna is still only 25 years old, is still growing into his power, and has to develop it in one of the toughest hitter's parks in the league. It shouldn't be terribly surprising that he went through some growing pains, and now he's living up to the potential he showed when he mashed 23 home runs in 2014.

Turner is in the lineup for Monday's tilt with the Reds.

Turner will man the hot corner and bat second in the order. He was not in the lineup Sunday after starting the previous five games. Turner did make a pinch-hit appearance, and made the best of it by mashing a solo home run. He will look to stay hot Monday.

Turner will not start in Sunday's series finale against the Padres.

Turner appears to be receiving a rest day after starting the last five contests. A rather unimpressive .227/.319/.326 batting line may have played a factor as well, but Howie Kendrick will slot in at third base in his place, with the hot-hitting Trayce Thompson once again starting in left field. Still, Turner could rejoin the lineup as soon as Monday when the Dodgers host the Reds.

Cespedes went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs Saturday against the Brewers.

Cespedes' 14th blast of the year tied the game in the sixth inning, and set the stage for a Mets comeback win. The slugger has now homered three times in his last six games, as well as seven times this month, and he's slashing .297/.378/.659.

Pederson is in the lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Padres.

Pederson was given the night off Friday as they were facing a lefty. Pederson has logged just 14 at-bats against southpaws this season. He will match up against Cesar Vargas Saturday. Pederson sports a .965 OPS against right-handers on the season.

Belt is out of the lineup for Saturday's matchup with the Cubs.

Buster Posey will slide over to first base as a means of giving Belt the day off. Belt is 0-for-6 in his career versus Jon Lester, so albeit a small sample size, the day off can be considered well-timed. Expect him to return to the lineup Sunday.

McCutchen is not in the lineup Saturday against the Rockies.

McCutchen will get a rare day off as the Pirates go up against Colorado right-hander Tyler Chatwood. Starling Marte will get the nod in center field, while Matt Joyce starts in right and Gregory Polanco starts in left.

Ozuna launched his eighth home run of the year, a solo shot, in Friday's loss to the Nationals.

Batting a robust .386 with five home runs in May, Ozuna has been carrying the Marlins' offense for a couple of weeks. He remains one of the hotter hitters in the league and is now slashing .301/.348/.529 with 24 runs scored and 22 RBI over 153 at-bats.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and a walk Friday against the Padres.

Turner's second home run gave the Dodgers a one-run lead in the eighth inning of a game they'd go on to lose. He's only collected four hits in his last 28 at-bats and is slashing just .217/.314/.350.