MLB Player News

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) and pitcher Ethan Martin (shoulder) are expected to move their rehab assignments from Class A Clearwater to Triple-A Lehigh Valley this week, per the Philadelphia Daily News.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon opened Saturday's game against the Reds with a home run and finished the day 3 for 5 with three runs and two RBI in his team's 11-2 win.

Blackmon has four multihit games and three home runs in May after shooting out to a hot start in April. He hasn't slown down much at any point this season, hitting .355/.388/.603 with eight home runs, 28 RBI and eight stolen bases in 141 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was not in the Pirates lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals, but he wasn't just getting a day off.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported after first pitch that McCutchen is dealing with an injury to his right ankle. The severity of the injury is not yet known, so his status for Sunday's series finale is a question mark. 

The Giants have placed first baseman Brandon Belt on the disabled list with a broken thumb.

Belt was hit by a pitch Friday night, and was removed from the game shortly after. He's expected to miss about six weeks due to the injury.

Belt was hitting .264, with nine home runs, in 129 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt will miss six weeks due to a broken thumb, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Belt was hit by a pitch from Paul Maholm, but managed to stay in the game to run the bases. He was pulled from the game at the end of the inning. He'll be examined Saturday. Belt was hitting .264, with nine home runs, in 129 at-bats.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters after Friday's game that first baseman Brandon Belt could miss at least six weeks, though he still needs more information regarding his injury. Bochy is unsure if the fracture was displaced, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Belt suffered a broken left thumb in the second inning after being hit by a pitch in his first at-bat. He is expected to see a specialist on Saturday. Belt owns a .264/.317/.504 slash line with nine homers and 18 RBI in 129 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt left Friday's game against the Dodgers with a broken left thumb, which will land him on the disabled list, according to the Mercury News.

Belt left the game in the second inning after being hit by a pitch in his first at-bat. He was replaced by Joaquin Arias at first base. Belt entered Friday with a .264/.317/.504 slash line with nine homers and 18 RBI in 129 at-bats.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler performed well in his first game back from a hamstring injury.

Soler went 2 for 2, with a double and two RBI. He walked in his other two plate appearances. Soler scored one run during the game. He's only played in two games at Double-A due to the injury.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton continued to punish baseballs Thursday against the Padres.

Stanton belted his league-leading 11th home run during the game. Stanton was actually held in check throughout most of the game. He struck out and grounded out in his first two at-bats. After walking in his third plate appearance, Stanton popped out his fourth time up.

With the team tied in the top of the 11th, Stanton stepped to the plate against Dale Thayer. On the third pitch of the at-bat, he took a 93 mph fastball out to center for a two-run shot. The Marlins would retain the lead, and eventually win the game.

Stanton is now hitting .294, with 11 home runs, in 136 at-bats.

The Marlins have yet to give Giancarlo Stanton a day off this season, and who can blame them. The hulking slugger leads the National League with 10 home runs and 38 RBI entering play Thursday against the Padres.

The team is in the midst of a 20-games-in-20-days stretch, however, and manager Mike Redmond is expected to give him a day off at some point, according to MLB.com.

Stanton is hitting .295/.383/.590 in 134 at-bats, ranking third in the NL in OPS, as well as fifth in runs scored at 25.