MLB Player News

Ozuna (side) went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Padres on Friday.

Ozuna was back in the lineup Friday after an MRI on Thursday revealed no major concerns with his strained side. The veteran outfielder was right back in his usual cleanup spot for Friday's contest, and he's now hit safely in five of the six games he's suited up for thus far. However, concerns linger about Ozuna's overall power, worries that are exacerbated by the fact he has only one extra-base hit (a double) through his first 26 plate appearances.

Miller is not in Saturday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

With lefty Thomas Pannone on the hill for Toronto, Miller takes a seat. Max Moroff starts at second base and will hit eighth.

Choi went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a win over the Giants on Friday.

Choi continues to profile as one of the Rays' hottest hitters in the early going. The 27-year-old already has three multi-hit outings on the season, though Friday's two-bagger was his first extra-base hit of the campaign. Factoring in his production against the Giants, Choi is now hitting .348 over his first six games.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs in Friday's 10-4 win over the Twins.

McCutchen opened the game with a walk and scored on Jean Segura's double. He later walked in the seventh inning and came around to score on Rhys Hoskins' single. The outfielder's eight runs scored tie him for ninth in the league, as he's clearly enjoying his new park and new lineup.

Reyes is on the bench Saturday against St. Louis.

Hunter Renfroe will get the nod in right field in Reyes' absence. Reyes still has the early season edge in playing time, starting six games to Renfroe's four, but he's gone just 2-for-19 at the plate, so that could change soon.

Winker is not in the lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

Winker is just 1-for-19 so far this season, though Matt Kemp, who will bat cleanup and play left field Saturday, hasn't been any better.

Buxton (back) is starting in center field and hitting eighth Saturday against the Phillies, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports

He needed three days to recover from the bruised back he suffered when he slammed against the outfield wall Tuesday but fortunately did not need a stint on the injured list. Despite that missed time, he still managed a stolen base as a pinch runner Wednesday.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 in a 10-6 loss to the Dodgers on Friday.

Blackmon was in a 1-for-12 skid coming into the contest, but he broke out with a three-hit effort from atop the order to bump his batting average up to .286 through 35 at-bats. It's been a slow start for the veteran on the power front, as he's still searching for his first long ball and is slugging just .343 so far this season.

Buxton (back) is not starting Friday against the Phillies.

Buxton wasn't in the lineup Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a sore back. He did enter that contest as a pinch runner, but he's not ready to hit even after Thursday's off day. Max Kepler stars in center with Jake Cave in right.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Pederson will once again head to the bench with southpaw Tyler Anderson taking the mound for Colorado. Chris Taylor grabs another start in left field and will bat seventh. According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, Pederson will return to the starting nine Saturday and Sunday with the Rockies scheduled to use a pair of right-handed starters. The 26-year-old hasn't started since last Sunday with the Dodgers facing a string of left-handers.