MLB Player News

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a two-run single in a win over the Mets on Wednesday.

Ozuna helped set the tone for what would end up being a prolific night for the Cardinals offense, coming through with a clutch two-run, two-out single in the third inning. The marquee offseason acquisition has been mired in a slump recently, as after a scorching hot start to April, he's only 2-for-27 over his last seven games. However, he's been a run-producing machine throughout the month, with Wednesday's pair of RBI pushing his total to 13.

Winker is out of the lineup Thursday against the Braves, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Interim manager Jim Riggleman is stacking his starting nine with mostly right-handed bats to counter Atlanta lefty Sean Newcomb, resulting in lineup mainstays Winker and Scooter Gennett receiving the day off. Winker's move to the bench will open up a spot in the lineup for Billy Hamilton, who had sat out Wednesday as part of the Reds' four-man outfield rotation.

Cabrera is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Cabrera will get off for the second game of Wednesday's twin bill after going 4-for-6 with a pair of RBI and three runs scored in Game 1. Niko Goodrum will start at first base and hit cleanup in his stead.

Vogelbach was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma following Wednesday's win over the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vogelbach parlayed a spectacular spring training into a big-league roster spot and even got regular playing time for a while due to various injuries. However, with Ryon Healy (ankle) nearing a return from the disabled list, the big slugger was set to be blocked from regular time. Vogelbach will mash away for the Rainiers after producing a .212 batting average and two home runs in 52 at-bats with Seattle.

Buxton (migraines, toe) will not return to extended spring training games Wednesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The speedy outfielder managed to hit off a tee Wednesday, but he's apparently still not feeling good enough to return to game action. Bollinger added that the team medical staff had to drill into his left big toe to relieve pressure in it after he suffered the injury, which seems like it could delay his return to action further.

Carpenter is out of the lineup against the Mets on Wednesday, Brian Stull of St. Louis Baseball Weekly reports.

Carpenter will receive a standard day off following five straight starts as Jedd Gyorko gets the nod at third base for Wednesday's affair. Over 21 games in 2018, Carpenter is hitting .167/.326/.306 with two home runs and 10 RBI.

Ohtani's blister has calloused over, so he doesn't expect it to be an issue for the rest of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The blister was blamed for Ohtani's poor third start, when he exited after allowing three runs on four hits and a pair of walks in just two innings. It wasn't thought to be an issue for his fourth start Tuesday in Houston, though he still struggled, allowing four runs on six hits and an ugly five walks in 5.1 innings. Those two starts may have knocked a bit of the shine off the exciting young two-way player, as his ERA now stands at an unremarkable 4.43, but there's hope that with the blister issue fully behind him he can get back the dominating stuff he showed in his first two starts.

Belt went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Tuesday's win over the visiting Nationals.

The homers keep coming for the first baseman. That's now five home runs in the last six games, with eight RBI in that span. Belt has brought his slash line up to .292/.418/.691, with 12 RBI and 10 runs scored in 19 games. He'll look to keep the hot bat going during the homestand, with the Dodgers and Padres heading to town next.

Ohtani allowed four runs on six hits and five walks while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in Tuesday's win over the Astros. He did not factor into the decision.

Ohtani exited after just two innings due to a blister his last time out, and though that issue subsided, he didn't seem to have his best stuff most of the night Tuesday. The five walks, six hits and four runs were all his worst marks in any of his four starts. Even still, the 23-year-old left in line for the win and struck out seven to raise his K/9 up to 11.5. His next start on the hill figures to come next week in a home series against the Orioles.

Cespedes went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run and two strikeouts in Tuesday's win over the Cardinals.

It's been boom-or-bust to this point with Cespedes, who's struck out nine times in the last three games while dropping to a .195/.255/.379 slash line in the process. Despite that, he still ranks second in the NL with 21 RBI thanks to his five home runs and some timely hitting. He's hit .280 or better in each of the last three seasons, and it seems like only a matter of time until the average ticks up.