MLB Player News

Reyes went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to Tampa Bay.

The designated hitter has come out swinging for the fences after the All-Star break. His homer Thursday was his third in the last six games. Reyes is up to 17 long balls, 45 RBI, 30 runs scored and a pair of stolen bases while slashing .264/.317/.587 through 218 plate appearances. He should be a fixture in the heart of Cleveland's order during the second half of the season.

Belt (knee) will start running the bases over the weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Belt resumed light baseball activity early in July and is set to begin the next step toward his return. After the diagnosis, he opted to avoid surgery in an effort to return to the field faster, though there is still no timetable for his activation off the injured list.

Stanton could start in left field Saturday against the Red Sox, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton has been in the lineup exclusively as the designated hitter for each of the last two seasons. Interestingly, his return to the outfield could come in an American League park, where the team still has the benefit of a designated hitter. Instead, manager Aaron Boone suggested the decision to play Stanton in the outfield for the first time since Game 1 of the 2019 ALCS could come due to the fact that there is less ground to cover in left field at Fenway Park.

Lewis (knee) will begin light tee work and soft toss within the next several days, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Lewis has not yet begun running, but he continues to make some progress towards a return. The team has remained optimistic that he'll play again at some point this season, though any potential return remains at least several weeks away at this point.

Turner (knee) is starting at third base and batting third Thursday against the Giants, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The veteran third baseman took the day off Wednesday after suffering a bruise on his left knee during Tuesday's contest, and he'll rejoin the lineup after missing only one game. Turner is 5-for-20 with two homers, two doubles, five RBI and five runs in six games since the All-Star break.

McCutchen isn't in the lineup Thursday against Atlanta.

McCutchen had recorded extra-base hits in each of the last three games with two home runs, two doubles, three RBI and two runs during that time. He'll get a breather as Odubel Herrera shifts to left field while Travis Jankowski starts in center.

Harper (foot) is starting Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Harper fouled a ball off his foot Wednesday against the Yankees but was able to remain in the game afterward. He underwent X-rays that apparently came back negative, and he'll start in right field and bat third Thursday.

Mercedes remains on the active roster at Triple-A Charlotte and is in uniform for Thursday's game, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Mercedes appeared to announce his retirement in an Instagram post Wednesday, but he'll ultimately remain with the Triple-A club going forward. The 28-year-old has slashed .298/.365/.632 with four homers, 12 runs and 10 RBI across 15 games in the minors this year.

Choi isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi had started each of the last three games and went 3-for-11 with an RBI, a walk and four strikeouts. Austin Meadows will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

With Detroit and Texas wrapping up their series with a day game, Cabrera will get a veteran's day off before likely rejoining the lineup Friday in Kansas City. Cabrera has gone 4-for-23 (.174 average) through the Tigers' first six games of the second half, but he's at least helped out fantasy managers by driving in seven runs over that stretch.