MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt managed his second straight multi-hit game Monday against the Padres. Belt singled twice Monday, while adding one run, one RBI and one stolen base.

Belt is batting .316 (12 for 38) with one double, one home run, two RBI, two walks and three runs in his last 10 games (nine starts). It comes on the heels of Belt being mired in a 7-for-40 slump over a 14-game stretch from May 21-June 5.

The Mets placed infielder Justin Turner on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday because of an intercostal strain. Manager Terry Collins said Turner will receive an injection and the team will reevaluate its infield options in the coming days.

Turner, who has made 16 starts at various positions, is batting .266 with six RBI and six doubles in 44 games.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton provided all the offense for his team in Monday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks, hitting a two-run home run off starter Patrick Corbin in the sixth inning and adding a solo home run off reliever Heath Bell in the ninth inning to break a 2-2 tie.

While Stanton went 2 for 4 with two home runs and three RBI, the rest of the Marlins lineup combined to go 1 for 27. Stanton has four home runs in seven games since returning from the disabled list and seven home runs through 103 at-bats.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler has injured his shin and could be headed to the disabled list, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Soler, who is with Class A Daytona, hasn't played since Thursday. He has hit .281/.343/.467 with eight home runs, 35 RBI and five stolen bases in 210 at-bats in the Florida State League.

Nationals outfidler Bryce Harper met with a team doctor Monday, and has been cleared to resume his rehab, according to CSNWashington.com.

Harper will begin jogging and running in order to strenghten his knee. Harper has been treated with cortisone shots, which seem to be working. The team will allow Harper's progress to set his timetable. If he improves quickly, they will continue increasing his workload at the same pace. 

Mets infielder Justin Turner could be placed on the disabled list.

Turner is dealing with an intercostal issue, which could require him to miss some time. Turner is hitting .266/.307/.330 in 94 at-bats. 

Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna was held out of the starting lineup Sunday against the Cardinals for the first time since his promotion April 30. Ozuna received a day off as he's mired in a 1-for-20 slump in his last five games.

"Ozuna is in a little bit of rough patch, probably the first rough patch he has had in the big leagues," manager Mike Redmond said, per MLB.com. "But he's going to be fine. He's still confident. He believes in himself. We believe in him. He's just got to go out there and continue to stick with his approach."

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton homered for the second time since his activation off the disabled list Saturday against the Cardinals. He's also hit safely in all five games since coming off the disabled list June 10.

"He looks confident," manager Mike Redmond said, per MLB.com. "He definitely looks different than he did in April, and I think that's confidence. He feels good. He's taken some good swings. He's seen some results. Like any player, that breeds a lot of confidence, and in turn, guys play better."

Stanton is batting .400 (8 for 20) with two doubles, two home runs and seven RBI since returning to the Marlins' lineup. He has also struck out once in 20 at-bats and hasn't recorded a strikeout in his last four games. Stanton struck out 26 times in his first 20 games before going on the disabled list in late April with a hamstring injury.

"Everything before was off the end of the bat because I wasn't trusting my body and my hands to relax and get through it," Stanton said. "That's why everything was off the end of the bat before."

Nationals manager Davey Johnson told MLB.com Saturday that outfielder Bryce Harper suffered a minor setback recently.

Harper, who is recovering from left knee bursitis, developed puffiness in his left knee while exercising his lower body. The Nationals remain hopeful that the 20-year-old could resume baseball activities sometime next week. Harper has been sidelined since May 26 with the injury.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt did not start Saturday against the Braves with Buster Posey at first base. Belt went 0 for 4 Friday against Atlanta. 

Belt, batting .246 on the year, has gone just 10 for 43 (.233) in June over 12 games with a homer, three RBI and seven strikeouts.