MLB Player News

Jimenez was 2-3 with a home run and four RBI during the All-Star Futures Game on Sunday.

Sunday marked a great ending to a fantastic first half for Jimenez, who slashed .332/.372/.527 with Single-A South Bend. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Cubs challenge the 19-year-old by sending him to High-A or even Double-A before the season's end. Jimenez has grown as a player in nearly every category in each of his first three seasons in the minors, and it looks like he's only scratching the surface of his potential as an impact player at the big league level.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

The homer was his second in as many games and 14th of the season, and McCutchen closed out the first half with an impressive .314/.375/.543 line through nine July games. If he can stay healthy after the All-Star break then he still has time to put up some big numbers and justify his preseason ADP.

Vargas went 1-for-2 with a solo homer and three walks in Sunday's 15-5 victory over the Rangers.

The 25-year-old continued his hot streak since being called up from Triple-A, reaching safely for the sixth time in six games. Vargas was a constant presence on the basepaths Sunday and is now 8-for-17 with five doubles, three homers, four RBI, nine runs and six walks in his 2016 major league tenure.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run shot, his 20th home run of the season, in Sunday's win over the Reds.

His bat has suddenly come alive heading into the All-Star break and Stanton now has a seven-game hitting streak going that includes five homers and 10 RBI. Don't be surprised if he steals the show during the Home Run Derby.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 10-3 loss to the Phillies.

The Rockies' dynamic leadoff man heads into the All-Star break with a six-game hitting streak, and also having hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games. Blackmon has yet to homer in the new month, but is contributing in virtually every other category. He's currently hitting .341 in July following Sunday's production, with two doubles, three runs and four stolen bases.

Cespedes (quadriceps) is unsure if he'll be ready to play Friday's game following the All-Star break, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Even though his quad is feeling better, Cespedes's status for Friday's game is still uncertain. If the slugger misses more time, he'll be replaced in the outfield by Alejandro De Aza.

Buxton (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's matchup against Texas, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Buxton's MRI on Saturday revealed a bone bruise on his right knee so he'll expectedly get a rest day as Eddie Rosario makes the start in center and bats seventh. It's likely Buxton will be good to go following the four-day All-Star Break. The 22-year-old has struggled in the first half of the season but has shown some signs of life the past seven games, slashing .348/.400/.609 over 23 at-bats.

Brantley (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Short-Season-A Mahoning Valley on Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley is expected to play five innings for Mahoning Valley on Monday and if all goes well, he will advance to Low-A Lake County on Wednesday and Double-A Akron by the weekend. The 29-year-old has been out of game action since May 9 as he recovers from shoulder and biceps discomfort but appears to be nearing 100 percent. When the outfielder eventually returns to big league action, he'll resume a .231/.279/.282 slash line through 39 major league at-bats this season.

Reed is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Oakland.

The Astros will deploy Marwin Gonzalez at first base with Oakland starting southpaw Sean Manaea. Reed has just five hits (two homers) in his first 34 at-bats in the majors, but he'll likely continue to see most of the playing time at first base against right-handed starters.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, three RBI and a run in Saturday's 12-6 victory over the Cubs.

He evened things up at four apiece in the third with a 419-foot shot off Jon Lester, his first long ball since June 25. McCutchen came back to add the go-ahead runs in the next frame with a clutch single that plated Eric Fryer and Jody Mercer, snapping a 5-5 tie. The 29-year-old slugger now has consecutive multi-hit outings and is slashing .313/.389/.469 overall in 32 July at-bats.