MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Reds.

He capped the scoring on the night by taking Sean Doolittle deep in the eighth inning. The homer was McCutchen's 21st of the season and first in four games since coming off the IL, but it actually extended a bit of a power surge that began before his knee became an issue toward the end of July. Over his last 10 games, the 34-year-old has only seven hits in 35 at-bats, but four of them have left the yard.

Winker (back) is expected to return to the lineup Sunday or Monday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker was absent from both Friday and Saturday's games against the Phillies while working through tightness in his lower back. The Reds got good news following an examination Saturday, however, so it looks as though he'll miss at most one more game.

Dickerson will remain on the bench for Saturday's game against the Rockies, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson sits for the second straight game as the Rockies send out another southpaw in Kyle Freeland. Darin Ruf will be the left fielder in his absence.

Belt will sit Saturday against Colorado, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Belt has homered four times in seven games since returning from a knee injury. He'll get the day off against lefty Kyle Freeland, with Wilmer Flores starting at first base.

Buxton (hand) could begin a rehab assignment next week, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton is away from the team for the weekend to attend to a family matter but will return for a workout Monday, at which point the team will determine how to proceed with his recovery. He's been out of action since late June with a broken hand, so he'll likely need more than merely a game or two on his rehab assignment before he's cleared to return.

Manager Dave Roberts said Turner (groin) will be available to pinch hit Saturday and should be in Sunday's lineup, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers' skipper added that they'll pinch run for Turner if he reaches base Saturday. This will be the third baseman's fifth consecutive game out of the lineup, but it certainly seems like he'll be starting the series finale Sunday.

Choi (hamstring) will bat cleanup and play first base Saturday against the Twins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi left Tuesday's game against the Red Sox with hamstring soreness. While he returned to the lineup Wednesday, he didn't appear in either of the next two games. He's evidently ready to go again now, however, and will bat in the heart of the order against righty Kenta Maeda.

Turner (groin) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.

Manager Dave Roberts suggested Friday that Turner would be available to pinch hit in Saturday's contest, but it's unclear if that's the case. The Dodgers must expect the 36-year-old back very soon, as he hasn't started since Sunday and would probably be on the injured list if his absence was likely to last a few more days. Chris Taylor is once again starting at third base.

Pederson is on the bench for Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Although Pederson has a respectable average (.282) against left-handed pitching this season, 12 of his 14 home runs have come against righties and he sits with southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for Washington. Guillermo Heredia is playing center field and batting eighth Saturday.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

The outfielder is out again after being scratched from Friday's game with lower back tightness, and it's unclear whether he'll be available off the bench Saturday. Aristides Aquino will start in left field and bat seventh.