MLB Player News

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, three RBI and a run in Saturday's 12-6 victory over the Cubs.

He evened things up at four apiece in the third with a 419-foot shot off Jon Lester, his first long ball since June 25. McCutchen came back to add the go-ahead runs in the next frame with a clutch single that plated Eric Fryer and Jody Mercer, snapping a 5-5 tie. The 29-year-old slugger now has consecutive multi-hit outings and is slashing .313/.389/.469 overall in 32 July at-bats.

Belt went 0-for-1 with four walks and a run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

That wasn't a typo, Belt did actually start this game, but he reached base via the free pass four times Friday, only registering one official at-bat. He exhibited his elite plate discipline, bringing his on-base percentage over the .400-mark, something only eight other players in the majors can make a claim to. While the All-Star voting system is essentially a popularity contest, it is safe to say that Belt earned his first appearance with a slash line of .299/.404/.517 through the first half of the season.

Cespedes (quadriceps) will not participate in the All-Star game, ESPN's Adam Rubin reports.

The star slugger is nursing a quadriceps injury that was already expected to keep him out through the All-Star break, so the news of him not participating in the All-Star game itself was expected. Pittsburgh's Starling Marte will take his spot on the National League's roster.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double and RBI in Friday's 8-4 victory over the Cubs.

It was the second multi-hit outing in the last four for the veteran slugger, who's endured a tough season at the plate and a variety of injuries this season. He's showing signs of picking it up so far in July, slashing .296/.387/.370 over 27 at-bats.

Cespedes, who suffered a quad strain in Friday's game, is unlikely to return until after the All-Star break, The Star-Ledger's Maria Guardado reports.

Manager Terry Collins said he didn't expect Cespedes to play in the All-Star game, so it seems unlikely he'll play Saturday or Sunday. He hurt the quad going after a Daniel Murphy double in the third inning of Friday's game. Cespedes said he has dealt with a similar issue previously and only missed a handful of days in that instance, while also adding that he's hopeful he will be able to avoid a DL stint. It sounds like a major injury was avoided, but owners should be prepared to be without the star outfielder for the rest of the first half.

Cespedes (quad) left Friday's game against the Nationals with a right quad strain, Adam Rubin of ESPN.com reports.

Cespedes suffered the injury in the third inning when he slid to catch a Ben Revere fly ball in center field. Cespedes was replaced by Juan Lagares in center in the fourth inning. The severity of the strain is uncertain.

Pederson (shoulder) still has not been cleared to swing a bat, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

There was some initial optimism that Pederson could return from the DL immediately following the All-Star break, but that's looking like far from a sure thing with the 24-year-old still shut down from swinging. Pederson figures to ultimately require at least a couple minor league rehab games to prepare for a return to the major league roster. Andrew Toles was brought up Friday to help out in center field in the meantime.

Dickerson went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, two RBI and a run in Thursday's 6-0 victory over the Dodgers.

The 26-year-old ended Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu's night with a triple to deep right in the fifth that plated Yangervis Solarte and Derek Norris, giving him five RBI over the last five contests. Dickerson has also hit safely in four of the last five games, a stretch that's included a pair of doubles and Thursday's three-bagger.

Harper went 2-for-5 with a solo homer Thursday at the Mets.

Harper launched his 19th bomb of the year in the fourth inning to give the Nationals a 2-1 lead in a game they'd eventually lose. He's now homered in three of his last six games to bring his slugging percentage to .504 on the season.

Carpenter (oblique) was placed on the 15-day DL on Thursday, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter sustained a high oblique strain while taking a swing during Wednesday night's game. While the Cardinals are yet to offer a timetable, Carpenter is expected to miss several weeks, likely beyond the requisite 15 days. Kolten Wong, who is in Thursday's lineup, figures to be the primary beneficiary while Carpenter is out.