MLB Player News

Giants manager Bruce Bochy dropped Brandon Belt into the eighth spot in the lineup Monday at Arizona for the first time this season since Belt had a poor track record against starting pitcher Ian Kennedy. It didn't seem to bother Belt.

The first baseman homered off Kennedy, who he had been 2 for 15 (.133) against coming into Monday's game, and broke open a 4-all tie with a two-run single in the eighth inning, lifting the Giants to a 6-4 win. 

"I liked it tonight," Belt said of batting eighth, per MLB.com. "I don't know if it's the ideal position. As a hitter you want to try to move your way up through the order."

Belt, who hit his second home run, appears to be emerging from a early season slump. Belt has hit safely in six of his last seven games, producing a .409 average (9 for 22), one double, two home runs and six RBI. He's sent his batting average surging from .183 to .244.

Mets infielder Justin Turner, who started at third base for the injured David Wright (neck), tied a season-high with three hits Monday against the Marlins. Turner, who has accomplished the feat three times this season, finished 3 for 5 with one double and one walk.

Turner is batting .368 (14 for 38) with three doubles and four RBI in 15 games. Turner has made just seven starts through 24 games and Monday was the first time he started at third base.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley went 3 for 5 with two doubles in Cleveland's 9-0 romp Monday over Kansas City.

Brantley scored twice and raised his line to .291/.371/.372. Power has been slow to come for Brantley -- he now has six extra-base hits but is still without a home run. He has just 13 home runs over the past two seasons (1,003 at-bats), so a month-long home run drought isn't particularly out of the ordinary for Brantley.

Marlins outfield prospect Marcell Ozuna was promoted to the majors late Monday night in the wake of Giancarlo Stanton's hamstring injury, despite Ozuna having played in just 14 games this season. Ozuna got off to a late start because he suffered a fractured left hand this spring.

However, Ozuna appeared to be more in tune with his swing than fellow Double-A Jacksonville outfielder Christian Yelich, who is widely regarded as the Marlins' top prospect after Jose Fernandez's early season promotion to the majors. Ozuna was batting .333 (14 for 42) with one triple, three doubles, five home runs and 15 RBI in 10 games for Jacksonville.

Ozuna is considered a top 10 prospect in the Marlins' organization by Baseball America (No. 5) and MLB.com (No. 6). 

"Let him go out there and (hack) away and see what he does," manager Mike Redmond said, per the Sun-Sentinel. "Ozuna is an exciting player. Hopefully he'll come up and provide a spark."

The Marlins announced on Monday that Marcell Ozuna and Brad Hand will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans. 

The Marlins placed outfielder Giancarlo Stanton on the 15-day disabled list after Monday's contest against the Mets. Stanton suffered a strained right hamstring during the game.

He's scheduled to undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

Marcell Ozuna will be recalled from Triple-A New Orleans to take his spot on the roster.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was diagnosed with a strained right hamstring, the team announced.

Stanton left Monday's series opener against the Mets in the 10th inning after injuring his hamstring while running the bases. He immediately fell to the ground before gingerly walking off the field with the team's trainer.

Stanton went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts prior to leaving the game and there has been no timetable announced for his return.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton left Monday's series opener against the Mets in the 10th inning with what appeared to be an injury to his right hamstring. He tried to beat out a swinging bunt but could be seen grabbing the back of his right leg while running to first base.

The 23-year-old fell to the ground but was able to get up and walk off under his own power.

Stanton went 0 for 5 with two strikeouts before the early exit and is batting .227.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Monday that Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera almost always have a green light to swing on a 3-0 count, MLB.com reports. He also said most players don't feel comfortable swinging in a 3-0 count. 

"I never give Miguel the take -- him and Prince," Leyland said. "Unless you think the game's a lopsided game where you don't want to get somebody hit or something like that."

That said, Cabrera is more likely to take a 3-0 pitch than swing. Cabrera is 6 for 13 swinging on 3-0 during his career. He homered off Cory Gearrin on Sunday in that count. 

Fielder has gone 7 for 20 swinging on 3-0 during his career. He's walked in all four plate appearances in that count this season. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler was benched Sunday for failing to run out two balls during Saturday's game.

Class-A Daytona manager Dave Keller said Soler sat "because within the philosophy and the work ethic that we are trying to create in this organization -- and that we are trying to get our players to understand -- work ethic, energy, determination, playing hard and running hard is part of the whole program."  Soler is expected to return to the team's lineup Monday.