MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is still confident his team can make a run at the playoffs, according to MASN.

Harper pointed to the Nationals' nine remaining games against the Braves as a potential reason they could get back into the race. The team is currently 10 1/2 games out of first in the NL East. Harper added, "if we play like we’re capable, we will win this and we will do it. I know that for a fact."

Harper is hitting .273/.370/.529 in 242 at-bats. 

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter is not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Carpenter will be replaced by Daniel Descalso at second. In 405 at-bats, Carpenter is hitting .311/.386/.477. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is not in the team's starting lineup for the second consecutive day Wednesday.

Belt will be replaced by Brett Pill, who will hit sixth against Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick. Belt is hitting .255/.331/.425 in 318 at-bats. 

A rival executive told FOX Sports he believes Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton remains unavailable leading up to Wednesday's trade deadline. The latest rumors have the Rangers and Red Sox reportedly interested in acquiring the 23-year-old outfielder.

Although the Marlins have pretty much closed the door on trading outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, the Red Sox might convince the Marlins to rethink their stance, according to MLB.com. A league source said the Red Sox might be willing to offer a substantial deal to acquire Stanton.

Sources said the Rangers call the Marlins "every week" to inquire about trading for outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, according to FOX Sports. While in the past Stanton has expressed frustration about the Marlins' moves, he isn't expected to be traded by Wednesday's non-waiver deadline.

Mets infielder Justin Turner made a pinch-hit appearance Sunday against the Nationals after sitting out Saturday with a shoulder injury. He was hitless in his lone at-bat.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf had an RBI single, as he finished 2 for 4 with one run and one double Sunday at Detroit. Ruf has hit safely in six straight games, batting .333 (7 for 21) with one RBI and two doubles.

Ruf is batting .310 in 17 games since his recall from the minors. He has two home runs and four RBI.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton's go-ahead solo home run in the sixth inning Sunday against the Pirates stood as the game-winning hit in a 3-2 victory. Stanton homered for the third time in seven games.

Stanton finished 2 for 3 with one double, one walk and two runs. He's batting .478 (11 for 23) with three home runs, five doubles, six RBI, seven runs and seven walks in his last seven games. Stanton was mired in a 10-for-57 slump in his first 16 July games prior to his latest seven-game run.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper looked to be in fine shape Saturday against the Mets, just one day after sitting out with a sore left knee. Harper went 2 for 4 in the game with a home run, his 15th of the season. Harper drove in two runs and scored one, in a 4-1 win. 

Harper has now homered twice in the last four days, after going 18 straight games without a home run.