MLB Player News

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (knee) is back in the lineup and hitting third Thursday, SB Nation's Eric Stephen reports. 

After missing four games with the knee issue, Turner returns as one of the only Dodgers regulars in Thursday's lineup.

Manager Don Mattingly said Turner won't play every day over the rest of the regular season as the Dodgers hope to have him fresh for a run in October.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon (neck) is out of the lineup Thursday, The Denver Post reports. 

He will miss his second straight game with neck stiffness. Corey Dickerson will slide over to center field with Kyle Parker getting the start in right field.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter went 2 for 3 with two home runs and four runs batted in, guiding St. Louis to a 10-2 win over the Reds. 

Carpenter took opposing pitcher Brandon Finnegan deep in the third and fifth innings, providing his fifth and sixth home runs of the year against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old has showed off his power lately, hitting five home runs in his last 31 at-bats.

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler went 2 for 3 with his 10th homer of the year Wednesday against the Brewers.

Soler's now homered in three of his last four games -- a span that's included only seven at-bats. It's nice to see him ending the year on a high note, as Soler should be an intriguing post-hype selection in next year's drafts, assuming he can nail down a regular lineup spot.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley (shoulder) is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Twins. 

Brantley exited Tuesday's game because of the shoulder issue, and it will cost him Wednesday's contest as well. The team hasn't released an update beyond a left shoulder issue at this time, but the severity should be clarified at some point in the near future.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox due to a back issue, Chris Iott of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera has recorded a hit in five straight games, but Cabrera will reportedly sit out Wednesday to receive two days off with the team off day Thursday. It sounds as though the injury is relatively minor in nature, so it's possible he'll rejoin the lineup as soon as Friday. Alex Avila will get the start at first base in Cabrera's place.

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley left Tuesday's game with a right shoulder injury, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes reports.

He injured the shoulder on a diving attempt to catch an Aaron Hicks triple in the third inning and was replaced by Michael Martinez. Brantley was 0 for 2 before exiting, and his status will be updated when the team updates the severity of the injury.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (concussion) did not make the trip to San Diego, the San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea reports.

He is flying to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to visit a concussion specialist on Thursday, so he can be safely ruled out for the rest of the series against the Padres. It is not clear when he will rejoin the team, or if he will be able to return to the lineup this season. Buster Posey, Ehire Adrianza and Nick Noonan should see the starts at first base for the foreseeable future.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (concussion) is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Padres.

Buster Posey will take over at first base once again as Belt continues to deal with a concussion he suffered sometime last week. Considering the 27-year-old has now suffered three concussions in the past two years, the Giants could be extra cautious with his availability moving forward, meaning Trevor Brown and Jackson Williams will likely man catcher while Posey fills in at first base.

Dodgers thrid baseman Justin Turner's MRI revealed he is suffering from tendinitis and a bone bruise in his left knee, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports. 

Turner described the injury as 'pretty much the best case we could have had' and expects to play again in a couple days. The 30-year-old has been out of the lineup since Saturday, when a sore knee forced him out of the game early.