MLB Player News

Blackmon (hand) participated in batting practice Saturday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports

Blackmon was cleared to resume swinging a bat Sunday and has now begun to ramp up the intensity. Blackmon has been held out since June 11 with a fractured right hand, and he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the Rockies lineup.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Boston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-3 with a solo home run Friday, Pederson will take a seat Saturday against left-hander James Paxton. Michael Conforto will slide into the DH spot while Pederson sits, allowing Austin Slater to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot.

Ohtani (calves) will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and bat second Saturday against Toronto, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Ohtani has exited early in both of the Angels' last two games, the first time due to cramping in his back and the second time due to cramping in both of his calves. After being re-evaluated Saturday, Ohtani looks like he'll be able to stay in the lineup and serve in his usual DH role, though the Angels will likely keep a close eye on him to ensure his recent cramping doesn't develop into a lingering issue. The two-way star has gone 5-for-18 with four homers, five RBI and seven runs scored in his last five games while also tossing a one-hit shutout during that stretch.

Belt isn't starting Saturday against the Angels.

Southpaw Reid Detmers will start on the mound for Los Angeles, meaning Belt will remain in the dugout for the start of Saturday's game. Danny Jansen will instead serve as Toronto's DH while Alejandro Kirk starts behind the plate and bats seventh.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 10-7 win over the Brewers.

The veteran slugger hadn't had a multi-hit performance since July 5, slashing a brutal .082/.132/.143 in the following 14 games with a 3:19 BB:K, but Ozuna appeared to find his stroke again Friday. Atlanta could pick up another bat at the trade deadline to work into the corner outfield/DH mix, but the streaky 32-year-old likely still has some job security after his rampage through May and June. On the season, Ozuna sports a .746 OPS with 19 homers and 44 RBI in 85 contests.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Pederson kept the game close with his eighth-inning blast, but the Giants couldn't find the tying run. The 31-year-old has homered three times and added two doubles over his last seven contests. The power appears to be back for the slugger, who is now at a .245/.371/.466 slash line with 11 homers, 36 RBI, 39 runs scored, eight doubles and two triples through 248 plate appearances. He hit leadoff Friday with LaMonte Wade (back) out, and Pederson could continue to be atop the order versus righties until his injured teammate returns.

Ohtani was lifted from Friday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays in the ninth inning after experiencing cramping in both of his calves, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports. He went 2-for-4 with a solo home run -- his 39th of the season -- before exiting.

Before exiting the second game of the Angels' doubleheader with the Tigers on Thursday due to cramping, Ohtani slugged home runs in his final two plate appearances of the day. After being cleared to serve as the Angels' designated hitter Friday, Ohtani took Kevin Gausman deep in the first inning to bring his streak to three consecutive plate appearances with a long ball. Ohtani couldn't finish the game, however, as he was pulled in favor of pinch hitter Michael Stefanic in the ninth even though the bases were loaded. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Ohtani will be re-evaluated Saturday, but the skipper noted that at this stage, he's "not even thinking" about the possibility of the two-way superstar going on the injured list, per the Associated Press. Even if Ohtani's re-evaluation reveals nothing concerning, it wouldn't be surprising if he received a day off Saturday after exiting early in each of the past two games. Nevin has already noted that Ohtani will make his next start as a pitcher this coming Thursday at home versus the Mariners, allowing the 29-year-old to get six days' rest rather than his usual five after he tossed a season-high 111 pitches in his one-hit shutout of the Tigers in Game 1 of this past Thursday's doubleheader.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday versus the Cardinals.

Morel will get a breather Friday after putting together a five-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-20 with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored. Yan Gomes will take over as Chicago's designated hitter, allowing Miguel Amaya to start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Buxton is absent from the lineup Friday at Kansas City.

Buxton is back from paternity leave, but he'll be on the bench as the Twins open a three-game series against the Royals. Matt Wallner is taking a turn at designated hitter and hitting sixth.

Meneses is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It looks to be a rare day off for Meneses. The Nationals are giving Jeimer Candelario a start in the designated hitter spot and covering third base with Ildemaro Vargas.