MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen homered for the second straight game during a 4-1 loss Tuesday against the Reds. After not homering in his first 15 games, McCutchen has connected for three home runs in his last six games.

McCutchen has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games. He is batting .364 (16 for 44) in that stretch, raising his season average from .194 to .288.

McCutchen also has a .442 on-base percentage, .682 slugging percentage, 1.124 OPS, five doubles, nine RBI, seven runs, seven walks and one stolen base in his last 11 games.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera was able to pick things up offensively Tuesday, going 3 for 5 with one double, one home run and three RBI in his team's 8-6 win over the White Sox.

Cabrera had just one hit in 15 at-bats over his last four games and only one home run this season before turning in a fine performance in Tuesday's win. His line is up to .235/.297/.412 in 68 at-bats.

When Marcell Ozuna hit .331 over his first 36 games as a major-leaguer last year, I said it couldn't last, suggesting his poor plate discipline would catch up to him in time, especially given his lack of experience. And seeing as he finished the year batting .265, that proved to be the case.

But to be fair, he never got a chance to recover from his first ever slump, tearing a ligament in his thumb and having season-ending surgery in late July. By beginning this season like he has, he's done his best to relieve concerns that he simply caught the league by surprise last year.

Particularly batting in front of a rejuvenated Giancarlo Stanton, Ozuna should see plenty of pitches to hit, making the poor plate discipline less of a concern. He'll need to take a step forward power-wise to make an impact in standard mixed leagues, but considering he had back-to-back-to-back 20-homer seasons in the minors, he didn't even show the best he has to offer in that department last year.

With all he has to prove still, I'm unwilling to rank Ozuna much higher than 70th among outfielders, but if you're in a position to sell out for upside, he certainly offers that. If you liked Avisail Garcia as a sleeper, you should like Ozuna as well.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup and batting fifth in Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Cespedes wasn't in the starting lineup Monday after suffering a bruised heel in his previous game, but he was able to play two innings off the bench in Monday's game. He has hit 247/.325/.493 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 73 at-bats.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler is rehabbing his hamstring injury at the team's spring complex in Arizona, per MLB.com. He is doing baseball activities, but he has yet to play in an extended spring game.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (heel) came off the bench on Monday, and played the field for two innings in a 4-3 defeat to the Rangers.

Cespedes, who is recovering from a heel injury, flew out in each of his two at-bats, including in the ninth with a runner on second for the final out of the game. He is hitting .247/.325/.493 with four home runs and 13 RBI in 73 at-bats.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon stayed hot in Monday's win over the Giants, going 2 for 4 with one walk and two solo home runs.

Blackmon has three bombs in his last two games as well as seven hits in 17 at-bats over his last four games. He has hit .411/.450/.671 with four home runs, 13 RBI and five stolen bases in what's been a remarkable first month of the season.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf has begun swinging in the batting cage, MLB.com reports.

"He's starting to progress," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I'm not sure when we'll get him into games yet."

Ruf is on the disabled list due to a strained oblique. He has yet to play in the regular season.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was dropped to ninth in the order prior to Monday's game against the Astros, MLB.com reports. Miller has three home runs and seven RBI over his first 72 at-bats, but is slashing .194/.237/.361 over that span.

As expected, Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was not in the starting lineup Monday against the Rangers after leaving Sunday's game with a heel injury. Brandon Moss started in left field in Cespedes' absence.