MLB Player News

Cespedes knocked out three singles in four at-bats, walked once and scored three runs in Wednesday's 11-2 dumping of the Pirates.

The Cuban slugger's been pulling a bit of a Jekyll-and-Hyde act lately -- Cespedes has six multi-hit games in June thus far, but has gone 0-for-14 in the other games. He also hasn't been swinging much of a power bat lately, as the 30-year-old outfielder has hit just one homer since blasting four in an eight-game span from May 15 to May 23. Nonetheless, he remains the centerpiece of the Mets' order and a key component of many a fantasy lineup.

Belt (ankle) could be available to pinch hit Wednesday but will most likely be ready for Friday's game against the Rays, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt is on pace for a career-best season offensively, hitting .301/.412/.514 with eight home runs, 33 RBI, and 31 runs scored through 64 games. The 28-year-old will look to keep it rolling Friday in Tampa Bay barring any setback with his ankle.

Belt (ankle) is not in the lineup Wednesday against Milwaukee, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt departed Tuesday's game after taking a pitch off the ankle, and while X-Rays returned negative, he'll sit out Wednesday as he deals with swelling and soreness in the area. As a result, the Giants will go with Conor Gillaspie at first base Wednesday, his second start of the season at the position.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Pederson gets the day off Wednesday with the Dodgers facing left-hander Patrick Corbin. His well-documented struggles against left-handed pitching in 2015 have spilled into 2016 as he's hitting a mere .130 through 23 at-bats against southpaws on the year. Trayce Thompson will take over in center field for the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Manager Don Mattingly will give Ichiro Suzuki the nod in right field Tuesday in place of Stanton, who has been mired in one of the worst slumps of his career. Stanton went 1-for-3 with a double in his return to the lineup Tuesday, but he also had had a strikeout, marking 12 consecutive games with a K for him. His next chance to return to the lineup will come Friday against the Rockies.

Belt's X-rays on his right ankle came back negative, Amy Guitierrez of CSN Bay Area reports.

Belt left Tuesday's game shortly after he got hit by a pitch on the ankle. It's unclear if Belt will miss time due to the injury, but if he does, it's likely either Matt Duffy or Buster Posey will fill in for him at first base.

Belt left Tuesday's game shortly after getting hit on the ankle by a pitch in the sixth inning, CSN Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic reports.

He remained in the game to run the bases, but was then taken out after visiting with the team trainer. Belt was 1-for-3 with a strikeout before exiting. Buster Posey and Matt Duffy represent options to play first base if Belt misses further time.

Stanton is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

The slumping Stanton got the night off Monday in the midst of a 4-for-39 stretch over the last two weeks. The 26-year-old is scuffling mightily on the year and he has been unable to go on one of his signature hot streaks thus far in 2016. Still, he's too talented to be mired in a slump for too much longer, so a return to form could be around the corner. He'll bat fifth in the order Tuesday against lefty Drew Pomeranz.

Carpenter is back in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros.

Carpenter sat out the past two games after jamming his finger Thursday, but he's rejoining the lineup Tuesday at the top the order with the Cardinals facing righty Doug Fister. The versatile infielder has been red hot at the dish in June, slashing .400/.466/.720 with 12 extra base hits in his last 50 at-bats.

Winker is day-to-day with a wrist injury, Steve Bittenbender of The Courier-Journal reports.

The Reds' top outfield prospect exited Sunday's game with an apparent wrist injury and he was held out of Monday's contest. He underwent an MRI on Monday, but the Reds have yet to disclose the extent of his injury. That said, manager Delino DeShields did note that Winker was having trouble gripping the bat. He's considered day-to-day at this point, and his timetable for a return should come into focus once the results of the MRI are released.