MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's rout of the Athletics.

With 18 homers on the season, the 29-year-old has tied the career high he set in 2015 in 34 fewer games. The first baseman's .242 average leaves much to be desired in leagues that don't use on-base percentage, but his improved power production has helped alleviate the lack of hits. Belt is locked in at the plate right now (6-for-17 with two homers over his last four games), so he could be ready to go on one of his patented extended hot streaks.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and two runs in Thursday's 10-8 win over the Cubs.

Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt connected on back-to-back home runs off All-Star closer Wade Davis in the ninth inning to break a tie and send the Diamondbacks to a series victory. In just 12 games (11 starts) with his new team, Martinez has already amassed six home runs and 14 RBI, but the impact has been somewhat dampened by a .195 average.

Cespedes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Thursday's loss to Colorado.

This was just the second home run through the past 30 games for Cespedes, as the slugger has struggled to hit for power for a prolonged stretch. He still sports a rock-solid .281/.327/.504 slash line for the campaign, but the counting stats are trailing off considerably, as Cespedes has just 11 homers, 30 RBI and 35 runs.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two runs scored during Thursday's win over the Mets.

It's been a special fantasy season for Blackmon, and while his nine stolen bases are well below the expected total, he's made up for it in spades in the other categories. After all, Blackmon boasts an elite .330/.384/.606 slash line with 25 homers, 71 RBI and 97 runs. It's also worth noting that his decline in stolen bases really began with last year's 17.

Pederson is not in Thursday's lineup against the Braves.

Pederson will take a seat Thursday, per usual when Los Angeles faces a left-hander pitcher. With Sean Newcomb taking the mound for Atlanta, Enrique Hernandez draws the start in center for the series finale.

Carpenter (hip) is back in the lineup and batting third for Thursday's series finale in Milwaukee.

Carpenter was scratched from Wednesday's contest with right hip discomfort, but it appears as though he won't need any extra time out of the lineup. The 31-year-old will man first base during Thursday's game, and looks to extend his on-base streak to eight games in a row. Since the All-Star break, Carpenter is slashing .323/.391/.452 with six RBI and eight runs.

Winker went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

After managing only five homers in 191 games with Triple-A Louisville over the last two seasons, Winker's now left the yard in back-to-back games with the Reds. The 23-year-old had shown modest power in the lower levels of the minors along with strong contact and plate discipline skills, but in all likelihood his line-drive swing won't produce too many more long balls in 2017.

Carpenter was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Brewers due to right hip discomfort, Derrick Goold of the St. Loius Post-Dispatch reports.

It's unclear when the issue cropped up on Carpenter, but it apparently bothered him enough during pregame warmups to keep him out of the contest. Luke Voit will start at first base in his place, while Kolten Wong will move up to the leadoff spot. Consider Carpenter day-to-day for the time being, while more should be known about the severity of his injury following Wednesday's game.

Canha was brought back up to the majors prior to Wednesday's game in San Francisco.

Canha has spent 29 games with the big-league team this season, hitting .191/.234/.393 with three home runs and seven RBI. He was optioned to Triple-A Nashville in early June while in the midst of a slump, but Canha's been seeing the ball much better in the minors, going 49-for-167 while slugging .545 since heading back down. He figures to provide depth in the outfield and at first base going forward.

Turner is not in the lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Braves, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Turner's batting average has dropped 12 points since his last off day on July 22, so he'll get another night off Wednesday. Logan Forsythe will slide over to cover the hot corner in his stead, allowing Chase Utley to pick up a start at the keystone to round out the lineup.