MLB Player News

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter has been among the best in the league at his position this season, but with top prospect Kolten Wong appearing close to joining the major-league team on a regular basis, the Cardinals could shift Carpenter to a new position in 2014, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

"The answer is," general manager John Mozeliak told the Post-Dispatch Friday after a question about Carpenter's future position, continuing after a pause, "I don’t think I need to answer that. The good news is we have some flexibility."

Carpenter leads all major-league second baseman in batting average (.321) and on-base percentage (.395). He leads all players in runs scored by a wide margin, with his 126 runs placing him 18 ahead of the player in second place (Mike Trout).

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning to give his team a walk-off 2-1 victory over the Tigers Saturday.

It was the only hit in four at-bats for Stanton, who grounded into a double play earlier in the game. He has hit .249/.366/.482 with 24 home runs and 62 RBI in 421 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen homered on Saturday during a win at Cincinnati. McCutchen hit one of six homers hit by the Pirates on the afternoon against Bronson Arroyo and company.

McCutchen took Arroyo deep for his 21st HR of the season in the third inning for a solo shot with two outs. He finished the game going 2 for 5 with a single and is batting .317 on the year as the Pirates will play the Reds in the wild card game.

It was good to see McCutchen snap out of a cold funk he's been in Saturday. McCutchen was just 3 for 27 over his last eight games before Saturday's effort.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is still not a candidate to be dealt, according to MLB.com.

A source said they "don't see any scenario" where Stanton is dealt during the offseason. The team has been adament about retaining Stanton, but every couple of months the story seems to be re-visited. Stanton is due arbitration, and will likely sign a one-year deal in order to keep his long-term options open.

Stanton is hitting .249/.367/.484 in 413 at-bats.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon homered Tuesday during an 8-3 win over the Red Sox. Blackmon hit his sixth home run of the season to lead off the game for the Rockies against John Lackey in the first inning.

The leadoff hitter went 2 for 4 with a walk and stole his seventh base in the game. He scored twice and is batting .314 on the year.

The 27-year-old has hit in nine straight games and has six consecutive multi-hit performances. Over his nine-game hitting streak, Blackmon has gone 22 for 44 (.500) with six doubles, two homers and six RBI. He's raised his average from .270 over that stretch.

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told the Miami Herald Tuesday that outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who is out for the season with a ligament tear and a fracture in his left thumb, resumed baseball activities this week. He is expected to head into the offseason healthy.

"I didn't mention [Ozuna] yesterday, but he's been swinging the bat the last couple of days," Redmond said. "He looks great, has himself in good shape. It looks like his hand is feeling good. He swung the bat good. It's just a timing thing. I think for him too going into the off-season knowing he's feeling good is definitely a good sign. Now he can prepare himself for spring training and get himself ready to compete and win a job."

Ozuna batted .265/.303/.389 with three home runs and 32 RBI in 275 at-bats in 2013.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper blames himself for the team's inability to make the playoffs, according to NatsInsider.com.

Harper said missing a month of the season with a knee injury hurt the club. "I wasn’t there for a month," Harper said. "I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I’m a game-changer or anything like that, but we’re a great team and me being in this lineup is huge. I’ve got to try to be in this lineup every night." 

During the month Harper was out, the team went 15-16. He's hit .279/.374/.496 in 409 at-bats. 

Mets infielder Justin Turner remains out of action due to a hamstring injury. Turner hasn't played since Sept. 10 and there is no timetable for his return as of this point. Turner is batting .273 on the year over 187 at-bats with two homers and 15 RBI. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon, hoping to win a spot with the club next season, has thrived with Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler sidelined by injuries, according to the Denver Post, batting .433 (26 for 60) with seven doubles, one triple, one homer and one steal in his last 13 games. He has just two walks during that stretch, though.

"If you play well, hopefully there is a place for you somewhere," Blackmon said. "But I don't look into the future, I just look at what I can do today. That's the only way I can approach things."

Despite his lack of plate discipline, Blackmon has made an impression manager Walt Weiss.

"I think the bottom line is that he is stringing together a lot of good at-bats and he has a nice plan at the plate," Weiss said. "Charlie's been a real bright spot for our club."

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter hit his 11th home run in Sunday's loss to Milwaukee.

Carpenter finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored, an RBI and a pair of walks. Carpenter is hitting .324/.396/.491 and continues to build a strong MVP case.