MLB Player News

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen recorded his third multi-hit performance in the last five games on Wednesday night against the Cardinals. He went 2 for 4 with a pair of runs scored in a 5-0 win.

McCutchen singled for both of his hits and is batting .275 (14 for 51) with two homers, 11 RBI and five stolen bases.

Cubs prospect Jorge Soler's five-game suspension for a bat-wielding incident ends Thursday and he is expected to be back in the lineup at High-A Daytona, MLB.com reports. Soler was hitting .423 with two home runs in six games before the suspension.

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper is in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlinsa after missing Tuesday's action with flu-like symptoms.

Harper returns to a .320/.382/.640 line in 55 plate appearances with five home runs and one steal this season.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is expected to return from a shoulder injury Thursday, MLB.com reports.

Stanton has missed the last five games with the injury and is out for a sixth consecutive game Wednesday. However, he has participated in batting practice and should be good to go without any long-term effects starting Thursday in Cincinnati.

Giancarlo Stanton remains out of the Marlins' lineup Wednesday against Washington, the club announced.

Stanton has now missed six straight games due to a shoulder injury. He has participated in batting practice each of the last two days and has felt progress, so his return is likely imminent. The Marlins being a four-game series at cozy Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati Thursday.

Brandon Belt put together a 3-for-4 night with two RBI Tuesday for the Giants against the Brewers.

Belt remains mired in a slump to start the year, as he's hitting just .191/.235/.255. He's still looking to get his power game going as well -- he has just three doubles and has yet to hit a home run. 

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.