MLB Player News

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera will not compete in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break. Yoenis Cespedes joins Robinson Cano, Chris Davis and Prince Fielder in the field. 

Cabrera was asked by Cano to participate but was hesitant as he preferred to rest a balky back. He'll take the derby off and play in the All-Star Game. Cabrera has 28 homers with a major-league leading .364 average and 90 RBI over 87 games. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been moved to the fifth spot in the order Tuesday against the Pirates.

Cespedes has mainly been used as the three or four hitter this season, but he did hit sixth Friday. Until he turns things around, he will likely be used lower in the order. Cespedes is hitting .223/.287/.430 in 291 at-bats. He'll face Gerrit Cole Tuesday.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt had a terrible performance during Monday's 16-inning loss to the Mets. Belt was hitless in eight at-bats and struck out five times.

Belt is the first San Francisco player since Jose Uribe in 1985 to go 0 for 8, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. He is also the third Giants player to strike out five times, following Steve Whitaker in 1970 and Glenallen Hill in 1995.

Belt has struck out 11 times in his last five games and is batting .174 (4 for 23) in six July games.

Mariners infielder Brad Miller collected two hits against the Red Sox Monday.

Miller hit two singles, finishing 2 for 5. He scored a run and knocked in an RBI. Miller is hitting .229/.325/.400 in 35 at-bats. 

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was asked by Robinson Cano to participate for the American League squad in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break, MLive.com reports Monday. Cabrera doesn't know if he wants to compete.

Cabrera confirmed he's been asked, but said it depends on how his back is feeling. He's missed some time due to the back issue in recent days.

"Yeah, he already asked me," Cabrera said after Monday's 4-2 win. "I say it depends how my back is feeling. If that's OK, I will do it."

Cabrera has hit 28 homers this season with a major-league leading .364 average and 90 RBI over 87 games. He would be joining Cano, Chris Davis and Prince Fielder in the star-studded AL lineup for the derby if he does participate.

"I tell him, maybe I'll do it but you've got to put Prince on there," Cabrera said. "You've gotta put Prince first, then me. He win last year, so he deserves to be there again."

The participants in the 2013 Home Run Derby were announced Monday, with Rockies outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Cuddyer joining Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Mets third baseman and NL captain David Wright on the National League squad.

Gonzalez, who is suffering from a finger sprain, leads the National League with 24 home runs heading into Monday's action. Cuddyer is tied for ninth with 15 home runs, while Harper, who missed part of May and all of June due to injury, has 13 home runs, matching Wright's total.

The Rockies recalled outfielder Charlie Blackmon Monday to take the 25-man roster spot of pitcher Roy Oswalt, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.

Blackmon played in 12 games with the Rockies in May, hitting .240/.269/.360 with one home run, two RBI and one stolen base in 25 at-bats. He has hit .288/.376/.428 with three home runs, 40 RBI and seven stolen bases in 257 at-bats with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

With Ryan Howard sidelined, the Phillies will turn to Darin Ruf at first base.

Ruf is in the team's starting lineup Monday, and will hit seventh against Nationals pitcher Dan Haren. This marks Ruf's second straight start at first base. He's collected two hits in four at-bats in the majors. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon will join the team in San Diego, according to the Denver Post. 

Blackmon will likely replace Roy Oswalt, who is expected to hit the disabled list Monday. Blackmon's addition leaves the team without a starter Friday, so another move could be coming in the next few days. Blackmon hit .240 in 25 at-bats in the majors. He is hitting .288/.376/.428 in 257 at-bats in Triple-A Colorado Springs. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper had three hits in Sunday's game against the Padres.

Harper came into the contest with just two hits in six games since returning from the disabled list. Harper singled three times, and drew a walk, putting him on base four times. He finished with two runs scored and one RBI. 

Harper is hitting .274/.375/.549 in 175 at-bats.