MLB Player News

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton went 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBI in his team's 7-5 loss to the Mets Thursday.

Stanton's first home run of the season was a two-run blast in the top of the first inning, but the lead shifted back and forth during the middle innings, with the Mets ultimately coming out ahead. Stanton went 3 for 3 with four RBI Tuesday but had been hitless in four of his previous five games coming into Thursday. He has hit .242 with nine RBI and eight walks in 10 games.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter collected his fourth straight two-hit game and sixth this season during a 4-0 win Thursday against the Brewers. He had two doubles, one run and one RBI.

Carpenter is batting .364 (12 for 33) with one home run, four doubles and six RBI in eight games. He also has seven runs, four walks and four strikeouts.

Coming into the season, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly chose not to name rookie Joc Pederson the team's starting center fielder. Instead, he opted to say, "You're going to see Joc a lot in center field."

Well, at least Mattingly didn't lie in that regard. Pederson has started all nine games in center field for the Dodgers this season. Thus far, the rookie has been able to handle the everyday responsibilities.

Pederson reached base in every plate appearance during Wednesday's 5-2 win against the Mariners. He had a single and three walks. He also has one RBI.

While Pederson has had just one multihit game, he is batting .310 (9 for 29) with a .444 on-base percentage, .517 slugging percentage and .962 OPS. He also has one home run, three doubles, four RBI, six runs, seven walks and one stolen base.

About the only negatives for Pederson is that he has 11 strikeouts and has been caught stealing twice.

“It’s a tough spot for a young player, that eight hole,” Mattingly said, per the Los Angeles Times. “Tough spot for him to know when to be patient. He has a good eye so I think it’s just him staying with his game plan.”

In his final plate appearance of the game on Tuesday, Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton batted without his customized helmet face guard he'd been wearing since his season-ending beaning from last year, reports MLB.com. 

"It's confidence for him," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. "I think that's probably a big step. He swung the bat well. His at-bats were good."

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton broke a three-game hitless streak Tuesday, going 3 for 3 with two doules and four RBI against the Braves.

Stanton entered Tuesday's game hitting .130 with one double and three RBI.

'"We got a win, so that's the biggest part," Stanton said after ending a 0-for-12 slump. "Contributing to that is good for us and we need a series tomorrow."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said he's pretty sure that third baseman Justin Turner's finger injury is 100 percent healed, according to the Orange County Register.

Turner, who is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup for Tuesday, left Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks with left finger stiffness. He also sat out Monday's contest.

Juan Uribe, who's been battling a hamstring issue, is starting at third base for the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler went 3 for 5 from the plate during Monday night's 7-6 win over the Reds in 10 innings. 

Soler's stellar game began with a two-run home run in the first inning. He hit another two-run home run in the eighth inning. Soler now has six RBI for the season. 

In the 10th inning, Soler hit a single and was later advanced to third. Arismendy Alcantara hit the game-winning RBI single, scoring Soler. Soler scored three runs and hit four RBI during the game. 

Soler is now batting .304. 

Dodgers infielders Juan Uribe (hamstring) and Justin Turner (finger) are not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners.

With both players still dealing with injury, Alex Guerrero, who went 3 for 5 with one home run and four RBI Sunday, will get another start at third base and bat sixth against Mariners lefty James Paxton.

The Dodgers are also keeping shortstop Jimmy Rollins, catcher Yasmani Grandal and left fielder Carl Crawford out of the starting lineup Monday. Darwin Barney will play shortstop and bat leadoff, Scott Van Slyke will man left field and bat fifth and A.J. Ellis will be behind the plate and bat eighth.

Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler is batting third for the second straight game Monday against the Reds.

Soler batted second in his first four games but moved to the third spot Sunday, going 0 for 4 in the series finale against the Rockies. He's 4 for 18 with one walk, one triple and two RBI in five games.

The Cubs are favorites (-131) against the Reds Monday.

Darin Ruf could be in for some more playing time if he continues to have at-bats like Sunday's. 

Pinch-hitting for Ryan Howard in the seventh inning, Ruf hit a deep solo home run to left field in the Phillies' 4-3 loss to the Nationals. Ruf's homer tied the game in the moment. 

Ruf went without a hit in his first 11 at-bats this season. His home run could give him some confidence at the plate moving forward. 

"You want to be the best player you can be in any role you are in," Ruf said, via MLB.com. "You play yourself into roles, and that role can change through the course of the year. I'm looking to stay positive and keep working hard."