MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was a late scratch from the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks due to back stiffness. Belt is batting .167 (5 for 30) with one home run and four RBI in nine games since returning from the disabled list July 4.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes experienced more hamstring tightness during Saturday's loss to the Mariners, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Cespedes is expected to serve as a designated hitter during Sunday's series finale at Safeco Field.

Cespedes is hitting .249 with 14 homers and 56 RBI in 349 at-bats. The injury is not expected to impact his status in this year's Home Run Derby.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, MLB.com reports.

He's expected to serve as a designated hitter in his first game action. Barring any setbacks, Turner could be back from the disabled list after three rehab games.

"I don't think it's a matter of [how many] games, it's just trying to get some at-bats," Turner said. "Everything feels good. I took a bunch of at-bats down there, live ABs vs. a couple of young guys down there. But it's a little bit different when you have a cage around you and taking actual ABs. So we'll see how that goes."

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was ejected from Saturday's game against the Athletics for arguing balls and strikes.

Miller was tossed by home plate umpire Bob Davidson after arguing following a strikeout in the bottom of the fourth inning. He owns a .206/.276/.333 with eight homers and 24 RBI in 267 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen came up big at the plate with his ninth career multi-home run game Saturday night against the Reds in Cincinnati.

McCutchen launched a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning and belted a go-ahead solo home run in the 11th inning, which proved to be the difference. He finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored and two RBI in a 6-5 victory. He owns a .325/.422/.573 with a 17 homers and 61 RBI in 351 at-bats this season.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon went 5 for 5 with one double, one RBI and one stolen base in his team's 9-3 loss to the Twins Saturday.

Blackmon has managed to tally at least two hits in each of his last four games, and Saturday's five-hit effort was his best performance since going 6-for-6 with three doubles and a home run in a game during the first week of the season. He has hit .306/.352/.483 with 14 home runs, 51 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 346 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner (hamstring) took swings against live pitching at the team's spring training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports. Manager Don Mattingly expects Turner to return from the 15-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit his 15th home run Friday against the Reds.

McCutchen struck in the third inning. He worked a three-pitch at-bat against Mat Latos, homering on a 91 mph cutter. McCutchen later doubled. He finished the game 2 for 3, with two runs scored and one RBI. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper only had one hit Friday, but made it count.

In the seventh inning, Harper stepped to the plate with no runners on. He clobbered a 90 mph sinker out to right field for the solo shot on the second pitch of the at-bat. Harper finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. The big fly was his second home run of the season. 

The Royals optioned infielder Christian Colon to Triple-A Omaha Friday, in order to clear a roster space for the return of Norichika Aoki from the disabled list.

Colon appeared in six games with the Royals, going 4 for 12 with three runs scored.