MLB Player News

Turner is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins.

It's not entirely clear why Turner is being held out Thursday, but he will open on the bench while Howie Kendrick gets the nod at the hot corner.

Ozuna is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.

Manager Don Mattingly is hoping that holding Ozuna out will help him snap out of a 2-for-11 skid at the plate. Ozuna's day off allows his replacement -- Ichiro Suzuki -- to start against fellow countryman Kenta Maeda.

Brantley went 1-for-3 with a walk, a steal and a run against the Twins on Wednesday.

After an 0-for-4 performance in his first start of the year, Brantley got started on filling the back of his baseball card in this one. If he can stay on the field moving forward, Brantley should be a lock for double-digit homers and steals, with a shot at joining the 20-20 club for the second time.

Winker hit his first Triple-A homer and knocked in four runs Tuesday against Norfolk.

Winker has started the season by displaying his typical excellent plate discipline without hitting for much power, putting together a .316/.403/.404 line through the first 15 games. We'll most likely see him in the majors this summer, after Super Two considerations have passed.

Martinez knocked in four RBI with a home run and a double in Wednesday's 9-4 win over Oakland.

It was a big night for the outfielder after coming in hitless in his previous eight at-bats. He hasn't exactly shown the power yet that helped him hit a career-high 38 homers last season, but Wednesday's game was a good sign. With a .293 average for the season, Martinez is still a solid fantasy play.

Belt went 3-for-5 with a double, triple, five RBI and two runs in a victory over the Padres on Wednesday.

It was Belt's first three-hit game since Opening Day and his first five-RBI night of the season. Belt has reached base five straight games, mostly due to his newfound patience. He has 14 walks and just 13 strikeouts in 72 at-bats. Belt is now also slashing .303/.402/.513.

Blackmon (toe) began his rehab assignment with High-A Modesto on Tuesday and went 0-for-4 with a strikeout.

Blackmon stayed on schedule with his rehab process with Tuesday's appearance and is expected to play in one more game with Modesto. He'll become eligible to come off the disabled list Friday, although his status for the weekend series will become more clear once he completes the second game of his rehab assignment.

Cespedes (leg) is expected to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Giants, ESPN New York's Adam Rubin reports.

Despite coming in to launch a pinch hit home run in Tuesday's win over Cincinnati, manager Terry Collins will give Cespedes as much down time as he can before putting him back in the lineup. Thus, Cespedes will sit out Wednesday and get an additional off-day Thursday before drawing back into the order for Friday's series opener.

Cespedes (leg) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Reds, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Some thought that Cespedes would make a return to the starting lineup Wednesday, especially after blasting a pinch-hit three-run home run in Tuesday's game, but he'll take another day off to rest his leg. The outfielder does expect to return to the lineup Friday, though. Juan Lagares will play center field in his place once again.

Soler is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

Soler has gotten two hits since April 17, so a day off could give him enough time to rest and get back on track. Kris Bryant will shift into left field to replace him, with Tommy La Stella filling in at third base for Bryant.