MLB Player News

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.  

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf began his minor-league rehab assignment Thursday for Class A Clearwater, as he continues to recover from a left oblique strain.

Ruf went 0 for 3 in the game with a walk and a strikeout, but made it through all nine innings without incident. Manager Ryne Sandberg told MLB.com Thursday he is a candidate to start in right field when he comes off the disabled list, with Marlon Byrd possibly moving to center. 

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter is working to refine his fielding, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Carpenter took part in extra reps prior to Wednesday's game. He worked with assistant hitting coach, and former third baseman, David Bell, and infield coach Jose Oquendo. Despite moving back to his natural position during the offseason, Carpenter has dealt with some defensive struggles early. Oquendo is quick to point out that though third is his natural spot, Carpenter did not play the position much last year. 

Manager Mike Matheny also hinted at Carpenter's lack of comfort transitioning to his play in the batter's box. "I don’t think you can take that out of the equation either," Matheny said. "Meanwhile, he’s still trying to get a little more comfortable offensively, too."

Through 132 at-bats, Carpenter has hit .288, with one home run.