MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt received some swing advice from Phillies outfielder Domonic Brown, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

The club had attempted to alter Belt's swing, but he was hesitant to make changes. He changed his mind after talking to Brown. "Domonic said it only took him a couple of days to change his grip. I thought, if it only took him a couple of days, maybe I can do it in a couple of days, too." Belt also moved back in the batting box, in order to see pitches a little longer. 

Belt is hitting .271/.349/.466 in 350 at-bats.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf has once again looked good in a small sample of games, and is seeing regular playing time, but is a sell high in Fantasy leagues.

Ruf has only notched 42 games over his career, and he's put up some pretty unsustainable rates. Ruf's average has been propped up by a ridiculous .370 career BABIP. Considering his career strikeout rate is over 30 percent, there's no way he'll continue to hit for a high average. On top of that, there's also reason to believe his power will taper off. Ruf has his a home run on nearly a quarter of his fly balls. 

It's been a fantastic start to his major league career, but the overall performance has been fluky. Sell while you can. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was named NL player of the week (Aug. 5-12) Monday. It was his first weekly award honor.

Belt hit safely in seven straight games last week, batting .440 (11 for 25) with two home runs, three doubles, three walks, five RBI and eight runs.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon has benefited from extra playing time since Carlos Gonzalez landed on the disabled list with a finger injury. Blackmon is batting .429 (6 for 14) with one double, one home run, two RBI, three runs and one stolen base in his last six games (three starts).

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf hit his fourth home run of August in his team's 8-5 loss to the Nationals Saturday. The 1-for-4 performance makes him 8 for 33 with four home runs and seven RBI this month and gives him a .289/.389/.546 line with six home runs and 11 RBI in 97 at-bats.

The Phillies designated outfielder Delmon Young for assignment Friday, signaling their belief that Darin Ruf is their best option out there, at least for the near future. Ruf, a converted first baseman, is going to spend the final two months of the season auditioning for a job moving forward. 

"This is important for Ruf and [third baseman Cody] Asche and anyone who's getting to play like that, that's probably playing to be on the team or playing for a contract," manager Charlie Manuel told MLB.com Friday. "This is a big time for them. Not only that, it's a great chance. Sometimes you can go in and not get a chance like these guys are going to get."

In 27 games this season, as well as 12 a year ago, Ruf has pretty much proven his bat can play anywhere. In 126 career at-bats, Ruf is hitting .302 with eight home runs and 18 extra-base hits. The question will be finding a long-term home for him, with Ryan Howard still under contract at first base. The team thinks Ruf can learn the position well enough to survive, at least.

"He's not going to be a Gold Glover," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "But what he can bring to the table, we think he can bring to the table for us, warrants getting him as many at-bats as possible, even though we may sacrifice a little bit of defense."

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen (shoulder) returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Rockies at Coors Field.

McCutchen reached base twice as he finished 1 for 2 with a walk and played only five innings of a 10-1 defeat. He is hitting .314/.387/.512 with 16 homers and 65 RBI in 420 at-bats.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler (stress fracture/tibia) is expected to be examined Monday in Chicago to determine the next step in his rehabilitation process. He could be a candidate to play in the Arizona Fall League, ESPN reports.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt continued his offensive surge Thursday against Brewers with a three-run home run off starter Donovan Hand, leading his team to a 4-1 win. He finished 1 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and three RBI.

Belt is hitting .450 (9 for 20) with four walks, two homers and five RBI in his last six games played. He has a .266/.347/.453 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 338 at-bats this season.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf enjoyed another solid performance at the plate Thursday against the Cubs with two hits, including his fifth home run of the season.

Ruf launched a two-run home run in the third inning off starter Jeff Samardzija to extend the lead for the Phillies. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 12-1 victory.

Ruf has recorded at least two hits in three of his last four games. He has homered three times over his last six games. He is hitting .303/.410/.551 with five homers and nine RBI in 89 at-bats.