MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was held out of Tuesday's starting lineup against the Marlins with flu-like symptoms, according to the Washington Times. Harper, who started the first 13 games, was replaced by Tyler Moore in left field.

The 20-year-old is listed as day-to-day. The Nationals will wrap up a three-game series with the Marlins Wednesday before playing three against the Mets in New York Friday.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who was out of the lineup for a fifth-straight game Tuesday because of a shoulder injury, took batting practice as expected. Stanton hit several balls to the warning track, according to the Miami Herald.

Manager Mike Redmond didn't give a timetable for Stanton's return, but he said Stanton told him he felt good after swinging the bat. Stanton also played catch before Tuesday's game.

"We're just going to wait and see how he responds," Redmond said. "He hadn't done anything in five days, so we'll see how he feels the rest of the day and look at him tomorrow and go from there. I'm hoping he shows up tomorrow and feel even better."

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received his first day off Tuesday at Miami. Harper, who started the first 13 games, was replaced by Tyler Moore in left field. 

Harper is batting .320 (16 for 50) with five home runs and 10 RBI. He has a .382 on-base percentage, .640 slugging percentage and 1.022 OPS.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton was absent from the starting lineup Tuesday vs. Washington for a fifth straight game because of a shoulder contusion. Chris Coghlan started in right field Tuesday for Miami.

Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter was touted as a sleeper during Fantasy drafts, and has delivered on that promise through the season's first two weeks.

Due to an early injury to David Freese, Carpenter has already seen time at third and second base this season. In many leagues, he also has eligibility at first and in the outfield. While his bat profiles much better at second, he can also be used at third considering the lack of talent at the position to start the year. 

It's unclear how good Carpenter will be over the full course of a season, as he's never done it before. But given the lack of talent at second and third, he'll have some value even if he's just an average player going forward.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said after Monday's 10-3 loss to the Nationals that he will try to take batting practice before Tuesday's contest. He has missed the last four games due to a shoulder contusion.

Stanton was examined by a doctor Monday after undergoing an MRI over the weekend.

"I told him where I was at. It's gotten better. But it's still there," Stanton told the Miami Herald. "The plan is to warm up tomorrow and swing and see where it's at. To bring [my left arm] up, forward, [my shoulder] doesn't like that. It feels like its being compressed. It hurts putting a shirt on. We'll see."

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is not in the team's lineup Monday. Stanton has now missed four straight games while dealing with a shoulder contusion.

An MRI revealed there was no significant damage to his shoulder, and Stanton is not expected to be placed on the disabled list at this time. Stanton should be considered day-to-day unless something more significant develops.

"Stanton is the same," manager Mike Redmond told reporters. "He's still not able to do any baseball stuff either. He says his shoulder is still sore. We're playing shorthanded. We can’t play shorthanded for too long. It's too tough."

Opposing pitchers have been extremely hesitant when pitching to Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton this season.

Stanton has only seen 35.5 percent of pitches in the zone this year, as teams would much rather take their chances with the Marlins' lesser options. Stanton's walk rate has skyrocketed, and could remain higher than normal the entire season.

The whole situation is reminiscent of Adrian Gonzalez in 2009. Stuck on a poor Padres team, Gonzalez walked 119 times. His overall numbers weren't impacted much, as he made pitchers pay when they decided to throw the ball in the strike zone. Stanton could be in for a similar type of year.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton missed the series finale against Philadelphia Sunday -- his third straight game on the bench -- due to a lingering shoulder injury. Stanton, who is considered day to day, was replaced again in right field by Justin Ruggiano.

It appears the possible sweepstakes for Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton could be adding another team. After reports surfaced earlier this week that the Mets were considering a run at the young slugger, the Rangers have explored a scenario of what the price tag would be for Stanton, according to ESPN.com.

Miami has not indicated it is actively seeking to deal its last remaining star, but the 23-year-old will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this offseason. Stanton is hitting just .167 over nine games, but has walked eight times.