MLB Player News

As expected, Ozuna (wrist) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

It was reported Sunday that Ozuna would be out until Thursday or Friday, and it appears that timeline has not changed. Christian Yelich will make another start in center field Tuesday in Ozuna's place.

Vargas was officially recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

With the Triple-A season now over, Vargas will rejoin the Twins, for whom he's appeared in 25 games this season, hitting .259 with six home runs and 13 RBI. The 26-year-old could see time at first base over the final month of the season and he'll also be an option in the DH spot.

Cabrera hit a pair of solo home runs in a 4-for-5 game Monday against the White Sox.

Cabrera now has five two-homer games in 2016. Monday's effort gives him 31 home runs for the season, his first 30-homer campaign since he had managed seven straight such seasons from 2007-2013. Cabrera owns a brilliant .316/.389/.556 batting line and is showing no signs of showing down even at age 33.

McCutchen hit his 20th home run of the season Monday in a 12-6 loss at the hands of the Cardinals.

McCutchen now has six straight seasons with 20 home runs, although is batting average of .253 is way down from the .292 mark he posted a year ago. McCutchen has just 60 RBI on the year, a mark that can probably be chalked up to bad luck, considering the Pirates are top-five in the MLB in on-base percentage, and McCutchen is hitting .295 with runners in scoring position.

Vargas is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Over 25 games with the Twins this season, Vargas is hitting .259/.379/.576 with six home runs and 13 RBI. However, he's struggled recently with Rochester. In his last 10 games, he's gone 7-for-33 with 10 strikeouts, bringing his batting average down to .233 for the year. Once he joins the big club, Vargas will add depth at first base, but can also be an option in the DH spot.

Harper is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals, according to MASN's Dan Kolko.

Harper has been swinging a hot bat for a few weeks, but manager Dusty Baker decided to hold out most of his regulars Monday, so Harper will get a day off for the first time since he sat out three straight games in mid-August with a sore neck. Brian Goodwin will get the start in right field in Harper's place.

Belt (head) is back in the lineup Monday against the Rockies, Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly reports.

Belt took a pitch to the helmet Sunday, but he passed all subsequent concussion tests and won't miss any time. The veteran is in the lineup at first base Monday, and he'll bat seventh in the order against the Rockies' Chad Bettis.

Blackmon (back) remains out of the lineup Monday against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports.

It will be the third consecutive absence for Blackmon, who continues to nurse tightness in his back. The Rockies will again go with Raimel Tapia in center field, and he'll serve as the leadoff man for the third straight game.

Cespedes is out of the lineup for Monday's matinee against the Reds.

The Mets arrived in Cincinnati in the middle of the night following their Sunday night game against the Nationals and face the Reds at 12:10 p.m. local time. Manager Terry Collins opted to rest some of his veterans -- Cespedes, Curtis Granderson, Asdrubal Cabrera and Jose Reyes -- though each should be available to pinch hit.

Belt (head) passed all concussion tests following Sunday's game against the Cubs, freelance Giants writer Andrew Baggarly reports.

There were likely some anxious moments for Giants fans after Belt was struck on the helmet by a pitch during Sunday's game, as the first baseman had previously missed extensive time in his career due to concussions. Fortunately, it appears he wasn't experiencing any symptoms of a head injury during tests conducted by team doctors, meaning there's a good chance he'll be in the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Rockies. An update on Belt's availability should arrive later in the day.