MLB Player News

Cespedes (hamstring) won't be included in the Mets' lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, but will be available off the bench for a pinch-hit appearance, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes suffered a hamstring cramp during the final play of the Nationals' walk-off win Monday, and while the issue isn't considered serious, the quick turnaround for the Fourth of July contest, which starts at 11:05 a.m. EST, likely influenced manager Terry Collins' decision to hold the star outfielder out of the lineup. The fact that the Mets expect Cespedes to be available in a pinch-hitting capacity suggests that he could be back in the lineup as soon as Wednesday, though with an off day looming Thursday, the weekend series in St. Louis may be a more likely target for him to return to the outfield. Curtis Granderson (hip), who hit a pinch-hit home run Monday, could replace Cespedes in the starting nine Tuesday if Granderson checks out fine ahead of the contest.

Ozuna went 1-for-5 with a double and three RBI during Monday's loss to St. Louis.

Ozuna is turning in a monster fantasy campaign with an elite .314/.373/.571 slash line, 22 home runs, 62 RBI and 49 runs. After playing in the shadows of Giancarlo Stanton and Christian Yelich the past few years, it's Ozuna that's been the best and most consistent asset in the Miami outfield in 2017.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Rochester after Monday's game, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Vargas needed just 161 plate appearances to hit seven home runs, but he wasn't providing anything besides the power. Thanks in large part to a 7:45 BB:K, Vargas owned a brutal .230 average and .267 OBP. With Ehire Adrianza ready to come off the disabled list, Varags and his limited skill set became expendable.

Cespedes dealt with a hamstring cramp near the end of Monday's game against the Nationals, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Cespedes tried to make a play on Ryan Raburn's walkoff single to left field and was slow getting up. It doesn't sound like the injury is severe, but Carig additionally reports that Cespedes "almost certainly" won't play in Tuesday's game. The Mets have an off day Thursday before beginning their final series of the first half Friday against the Cardinals, so Cespedes may only miss a game or two.

Carpenter will start at second base and lead off Monday against the Marlins.

In an effort to make room in the lineup for first baseman Luke Voit, manager Mike Matheny will give Carpenter a start at the keystone for the first time all season. It's also only the second start that Carpenter has received at a position other than first base; he previously manned third base in a April 27 game. Since Carpenter retained second-base eligibility in most leagues heading into this season, his start at the position Monday won't mean much unless he ends up seeing enough playing time there in future contests to guarantee eligibility for 2018.

Belt went 3-for-4 with his 16th home run, three RBI and a pair of runs scored in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Pirates.

The 29-year-old's big day at the plate turned out to be the difference in a two-run win. With 16 homers in just 80 games, Belt is on pace to crush his career-best mark of 18 long balls. The first baseman's .228 batting average has been a drag on fantasy owners, but his current .259 BABIP is over 70 points below his career average (.332 BABIP), which should lead to an improvement in the batting average department going forward. Luck aside, Belt's patience (14.2 BB percentage) and power production have kept his fantasy value afloat.

Harper went 3-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Sunday's 7-2 win over St. Louis.

The superstar took Cardinals starter Carlos Martinez deep in each of his first two at-bats, which is all Nationals ace Max Scherzer would need en route to a 12-strikeout victory -- his 10th of the year. The pair of bombs snapped an 11-game drought for Harper, who has now reached the 20-homer plateau for the fifth time in six seasons.

Miller (groin) went 1-for-4 with a double for High-A Charlotte on Sunday, but he won't be activated from the disabled list until Thursday at the earliest, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The rehabbing second baseman played in three games over the weekend for the Stone Crabs, doubling in each contest while also walking and scoring once. It's certainly an encouraging sign that Miller has emerged setback-free from his first game action since early June, but the Rays apparently want him to knock more rust off before having him return to the big-league club. Tim Beckham, who's been dealing with an ankle issue in his own right, and Taylor Featherston have both been making starts at the keystone in recent games.

Ozuna finished 3-for-6 with two home runs and four RBI on Sunday in Milwaukee.

Ozuna launched a three-run shot off starter Junior Guerra in the third inning then led off the eighth with a 455-foot solo blast against reliever Paolo Espino. He's already just one shy of his two-time career high of 23 homers and is tied for ninth in the majors with 59 RBI.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen has punished opposing pitchers over the past several weeks, posting an absurd .505 on-base percentage in June, but he'll get the day off against Jeff Samardzija and the Giants. Gregory Polanco will take over in center field with Jose Osuna drawing the start in right.