MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been heating up over his last 20 games, batting .305 with five home runs. So, why is he still owned in less than 60 percent of leagues?

Our Nando Di Fino said on Friday’s broadcast of Fantasy Baseball Today that he doesn’t see Belt’s ownership percentage staying low for very long. The term “breakout” was tossed around a few times in his assessment of Belt’s expected rest-of-season production.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper wasn't feeling great before Thursday's game against the Padres, but he certainly seemed fine when the game started.

Harper went 1 for 4 in the game, but his one hit was a loud one. He slugged his 11th home run of the season an estimated 431 feet, to put the finishing touches on a 6-2 win. Harper also struck out once to go along with his solo shot.

Harper was out of the starting lineup for two games in a row with soreness in his shoulder, knees and rib cage following a collision with a wall Monday. 

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna looked to be headed to another hitless night Thursday against the Reds, especially as fireballing closer Aroldis Chapman took the mound with a one-run lead. Ozuna looked at a pair of balls from Chapman and then drove a game-tying triple to left field with two outs.

Ozuna finished the game 1 for 3, with a sacrifice bunt as well as the RBI triple. The Marlins fell, 5-3. He is now batting .298 15 games into his rookie campaign. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was back in the starting lineup Thursday against the Padres, his first start since running into a wall at Dodger Stadium Monday.

Harper is in his usual spot, playing left field and batting third, despite admitting to the Washington Times earlier in the day that he wasn't feeling great. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday, but isn't feeling great, according to the Washington Times. 

When asked, Harper said he felt "terrible." Manager Davey Johnson said Harper "should be all right" Thursday, but Harper was more cryptic, saying "we'll see."

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper made a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game, grounding out to first base in a 3-1 loss. It was Harper's first game action since slamming into an outfield wall Monday.

Harper's status for Thursday's series opener against the Padres is unknown.

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, who was out of the starting lineup Monday while dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, also reported soreness in his rib cage Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Harper is still considered day to day.

As expected, Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He's day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee after colliding with the outfield wall trying to chase down a fly ball Monday -- a collision that necessitated 11 stitches on his chin and neck.

The Nationals open a series against the Padres in San Diego Thursday, but Harper's availability for that game is unknown.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) was able to play some catch Wednesday but has yet to begin jogging, the Miami Herald reports.

"I'm sure I'll be able to hit way sooner than I'll be able to run," Stanton told the Herald.

Stanton has been out since April 29.

You may not have noticed unless you own him yourself, but the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter has found another gear since the start of May, batting .386 (17 for 44) with four doubles and nine walks. He's the fifth highest-scoring second baseman in Head-to-Head leagues during that stretch and is now the eighth highest-scoring second baseman overall.

This is closer to what I expected from the first-year starter coming out of spring training: a high on-base percentage and enough extra-base power to distinguish him at a weak position. He's not quite as valuable in Rotisserie leagues given his limited home run ability and almost non-existent steals potential, but even in those formats, his quadruple eligibility makes him a definite asset.

If you like what Martin Prado has had to offer in recent years, you should like Carpenter as well.