MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen homered for the third time in 13 games Tuesday against the Brewers. He had just two home runs in his first 25 games.

McCutchen has broken out since a four-hit performance April 30. He's batting .353 (18 for 51) with a .421 on-base percentage, .549 slugging percentage and .970 OPS in his last 13 games. On top of the three home runs, McCutchen has one double, six walks, seven RBI and eight runs in that span. His batting average has soared from .217 to .266 since April 29.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said during a radio interview Wednesday with 106.7 The Fan outfielder Bryce Harper, who is day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee, will not need further testing. He added he has no idea why Harper was nauseous, but he is still sore.

"There's no concussion, he's feeling better. He'll be ready to go in the next day or so," Rizzo said.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt homered for the second straight game and extended his hitting streak to five games Tuesday at Toronto. He's also managed at least one RBI in four straight games.

Belt is batting .467 (7 for 15) with two home runs, three doubles and six RBI during his hitting streak. 

Belt's hot streak, however, has lasted more than five games. His slash line in his last 20 games is .305/.627/1.024. He also has four doubles, five home runs, eight walks, 10 runs and 15 RBI in that span.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, has still not been cleared for baseball activities, manager Mike Redmond told the Palm Beach Post Tuesday.

"No baseball activity but he's running in the pool. I just go by what they tell me," Redmond said. "From what I've heard, it's a similar type of strain from what [Casey] Kotchman has. It's taken a while for him. We really don't have a time frame. It just depends on how fast he heals and how fast he feels like he can get back on the field."

Stanton has been sidelined since April 29. He hit .227 with three homers and nine RBI before landing on the DL.

As expected, the Nationals kept outfielder Bryce Harper out of Tuesday's lineup against the Dodgers as he continues to nurse a bruised left shoulder and left knee after colliding with the right-field wall the previous day.

Harper's X-rays come back negative and he is listed as day to day. He is hitting .200 (4 for 20) with a home run and three RBI in his last seven games.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Bryce Harper's X-rays came back negative, and he's being listed as day to day with a bruised left shoulder and left knee, according to The Washington Post. Harper needed 11 stitches to his chin and neck Monday night after slamming into the right-field wall at Dodgers Stadium trying to track down a fly ball.

"Will be sore but fine. Day to day," Rizzo said.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter reached base three times Monday against the Mets. 

Carpenter hit two singles and walked during the game. He scored and drove in two runs. Carpenter is hitting .294/.373/.449 in 136 at-bats. Jon Jay had a brief run in the leadoff spot, but the team has gone back to Carpenter recently, so he should continue to get a lot of at-bats. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received 11 stitches on his chin and neck but did not suffer a concussion, according to his agent Scott Boras. Harper also jammed his left shoulder when he collided face first with the scoreboard on the right-field wall trying to track down a fly ball off the bat of A.J. Ellis.

Harper stayed on the ground for several minutes but was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power despite having blood running down his chin and neck.

He is scheduled to undergo X-rays but there has been no timetable announced for his return.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was forced to leave Monday's series opener against the Dodgers in the fifth inning after crashing into the scoreboard on the right field wall. Harper was trying to track down a fly ball off the bat of A.J. Ellis and crashed face first into the wall.

Harper was able to walk off the field under his own power despite having blood running down his chin and neck.

He went 1 for 1 with a pair of walks and runs scored prior to leaving the contest.

Giants first basemen Brandon Belt hit his fourth home run Sunday against the Braves. Belt's solo shot came off starter Kris Medlen in the second inning.

He finished 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs in the 5-1 win.

Belt has hit safely in five of the last six games and is batting .333 (6 for 18) with a home run, two doubles and four RBI over that span.