MLB Player News

Ruf is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres due to left shoulder soreness, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports.

Ruf apparently jammed his left shoulder in Monday's game and will get it examined. Manager Pete Mackanin says he is hopeful that Ruf will still be available to pinch hit, but the 29-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is released regarding the injury.

Torrens (shoulder) has opened up the season on the DL, Chad Jennings of the Westchester Journal News reports.

Torrens was expected to be ready for the start of the season despite undergoing surgery in his throwing shoulder last March, but he suffered a bit of a setback in the spring. Once ready, the catcher is expected to join the High-A Charleston team.

Cespedes has been quicker to the ball the last two games due to a shortened back swing, the New York Post reports.

After struggling to start the season, Cespedes is 4-for-8 with a home run and three runs batted in over his last two games. The shortened take-back to the ball enables him to get into and through the hitting zone quicker. In addition, after striking out seven times his first 16 at-bats, he has zero these last two contests.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

Trayce Thompson will take Pederson's spot in center field Tuesday with left-hander Patrick Corbin on the mound for Arizona. The sheer volume of injuries to Dodger outfielders should ensure that Pederson sees regular playing time, but he's still more likely than not to be left out of the lineup when LA faces a left-handed starter.

Stanton popped a two-run homer against starter Steven Matz as part of Monday's 10-3 victory.

Stanton's long homer to center field sent Matz to the showers before he could even get out of the second inning, capping a seven-run frame for the Marlins. It was the slugger's second home run of the season, and he also added a walk. Slashing .286/.333/.571 through the season first five games, Stanton is primed for another monster year batting out of the cleanup spot in Miami.

Ozuna cranked a solo home run Monday, his first of the season, while going 2-for-6 in a win over the Mets.

The Marlins' offense jumped all over Mets starter Steven Matz, but Ozuna waited until the sixth inning to pile on with a home run off of lefty Antonio Bastardo. After ripping his way through spring training, Ozuna's bat has cooled considerably over the opening week and he's got just four hits in 24 at-bats so far this season (.167/.200/.333). Despite the sluggish start to the season, Ozuna has stuck in the No. 2 spot in the order, a great sign for his potential to produce throughout the season.

Harper went 0-for-3 against the Braves on Monday, but drew two walks, stole two bases and scored a run.

He now has three steals through five games. The Nationals ran wild in spring training under the guidance of new first base coach Davey Lopes, and that aggressive style on the basepaths surfaced again Monday, as Harper and Michael Taylor each stole two bases. Harper's previous career high is 18, set as a rookie in 2012, but it looks like he's poised to top that, perhaps by a significant margin.

Miller received a vote of confidence from manager Kevin Cash despite an 0-for-16 start, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The offseason acquisition from the Mariners finally broke the ice Sunday by doubling in his last at-bat versus the Orioles, but Cash is relying on Miller's overall body of work since arriving in Tampa to support his belief that he'll turn things around. "I know he and (hitting coach Derek Shelton) have worked on a couple things to get his timing going," Cash said. "I really like the way he's handled the shortstop position. He hit the ball really well in spring training, a lot of hard contact. That's going to come. He just got off to a little bit of a slow start." Miller is slashing an anemic .059/.118/.158 line over 17 at-bats so far in 2016.

Belt went yard for the first time in 2016 Sunday, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBI in a 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

It had been a bit of a slow start for the recently re-signed first baseman, but Sunday's performance got his slash lines closer to where they should be (.292/.433/.542). Health has usually been the main reason for Belt falling short of expectations, so if he can stay healthy, he could finally put together the fantasy-friendly season we have all been waiting for.

Brantley (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A Columbus.

The Indians have kept mum regarding Brantley's rehab assignment, but an official start date has now been announced. It's not clear how many rehab games he will need before joining the big club, but he can spend up to 20 days in the minors, and the Indians figure to give him ample time to get his stamina and swing back after Brantley was limited to just two official spring training games.