MLB Player News

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen earned a day off Monday, as he is not in the Pirates' lineup as they prepare to take on the Brewers.

This will mark only the third time this season McCutchen has not started, as the Pirates will rest their streaking outfielder after a 10-game road swing to the West Coast and Atlanta. 

McCutchen is hitting .375 with two doubles and seven RBIs in June - a big reason why the Pirates have won six of their last seven to get back in the race in the NL Central. For the year, McCutchen is hitting 287 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs. 

A Monday matchup in Toronto has allowed Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton to take a break from playing the field. He will be used as the designated hitter.

Stanton had his five-game hitting streak in which he slugged three home runs snapped Sunday. He has blasted off five times in the last eight games.

When you've been plunked by a Clayton Kershaw fastball, you've been seriously plunked. But Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter doesn't believe the Dodgers left-hander hit him on purpose Saturday.

That theory was considered by some because Carpenter has played a role in beating Kershaw in a couple playoff games, but he dismissed it.

"I was thinking about that yesterday," he told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "But I don't think he's the kind of guy who would hit me on purpose. He'd already come inside once during the at-bat. Then he threw a slider and curveball away. ... So, no. It was just one of those deals."

Carpenter, who was back in the lineup Sunday, said that the swelling on his right triceps had been reduced considerably. He added that he was still stiff, but felt "way better."

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner came to play Sunday night.

Turner went 2 for 4 with two RBI in his team's 4-2 loss to the Cardinals. Turner doubled in the first inning, bringing Yasiel Puig around to score. He singled to center in the third inning and brought in Zack Greinke for his second RBI of the night.

Turner is hitting .307 with five home runs and 23 RBI this season in 127 at-bats.

A triceps issue that knocked Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter out of the game Saturday has not kept him sidelined Sunday. He is in the lineup against the host Dodgers.

Carpenter has remained productive all season. He has not gone more than two straight games without a hit, resulting in a fine slash line of .309/.395/.533.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen blasted his eighth home run of the season in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Braves. McCutchen's two-run shot in the fourth inning temporarily tied the game at two, and it was his only hit of the game.

The former NL MVP has 12 hits over 25 at-bats during his current seven-game hitting streak.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter exited Saturday's game against the Dodgers in the fourth inning with a right triceps contusion. Carpenter was hit by a pitch in his elbow in the first inning but was able to remain in the game. He struck out in the top of the fourth, but did not come back out for the bottom half. 

Kolten Wong, who started the game on the bench, came in to play second with Pete Kozma sliding over to third. 

Carpenter is considered day-to-day heading into Sunday's series-finale in Los Angeles.

The Rockies put on an offensive show in their 10-5 win against the Marlins on Saturday.

As a team, the Rockies put 17 hits on the board -- three hits apiece for CF Charlie Blackmon, 2B DJ LeMahieu and 1B Wilin Rosario.

Rosario (4) and RF Carlos Gonzalez (5) both hit home runs, and 3B Nolan Arenado and C Michael Mckenry each hit a triple.

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is receiving his first day off since May 16, as he is being held out of Saturday's lineup against the Cardinals. With the Dodgers set to face a left-hander, coupled with Gonzalez's heavy workload this season, manager Don Mattingly opted to give the slugger a rest.

Gonzalez has continued his offensive attack on National League pitching this season. Over his last 19 games (since his last day off), Gonzalez is batting .303 with two home runs and seven RBI. 

Justin Turner is receiving the start at first base on Saturday.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper homered and singled Saturday.

And the sun rose in the east.

Harper homers have indeed become commonplace - his ninth-inning blast against the Cubs was his league-leading 19th.

He now owns a ridiculous slash line of .333/.472/.721 and has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games.