MLB Player News

The Pirates activated McCutchen from the 10-day injured list Sunday.

The veteran will return after taking some time off to manage right elbow discomfort -- something he's been battling since at least mid-June. McCutchen, in the midst of a resurgent campaign (.808 OPS), will slot back into his customary No. 3 spot in the lineup against lefty Alex Wood and the Giants on Sunday. Rodolfo Castro was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in a corresponding move.

Harper went 2-for-3 with two walks, a double, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in a 9-4 win over the Padres during the second game of Saturday's doubleheader.

The 30-year-old was used only as a pinch hitter in the matinee with lefty Blake Snell on the mound for San Diego, but Harper was back at DH for the nightcap and took Ryan Weathers deep in the fourth inning. The blast snapped a career-worst homer drought for Harper that had lasted 166 plate appearances, and he now has four long balls and six steals in 59 games on the season to go along with his still solid .298/.395/.422 slash line.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Saturday against Cincinnati.

Winker will remain in the Brewers' dugout as the Reds send lefty Andrew Abbott to the mound to begin the game. Christian Yelich will assume DH duties Saturday while Blake Perkins starts in left field and bats sixth.

Harper will be on the bench for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Padres.

Harper could play first base at some point soon, but for now, he won't be playing anywhere, with the Phillies seemingly not wanting to tax his surgically-repaired elbow by asking him to play twice in one day. Kyle Schwarber will move to the designated hitter spot, with Brandon Marsh sliding to left field and Johan Rojas set for his big-league debut in center.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 6-0 win over the Mets.

The veteran slugger took Dominic Leone deep in the eighth inning. Martinez has gone yard in three straight games sandwiched around the All-Star break, and over his last 13 contests he has seven of his 24 homers on the season, although his .259/.317/.667 slash line and 30 percent strikeout rate during that stretch are further signs the 35-year-old is becoming more of a one-dimensional power threat at this stage of his career.

Soler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

The veteran slugger took Yennier Cano deep in the eighth inning to bring the Marlins within a run, before the O's pulled away in the bottom of the frame. Soler extended his hitting streak to eight games in the process, and with 24 homers and 52 RBI through 89 contests, he remains on pace for his best power numbers since his 2019 campaign with the Royals.

Choi went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Giants.

Choi belted his fourth home run of the season and second in as many games when he took Ross Stripling deep in the fifth inning. He's had a regular starting role since returning from the injured list July 7, and he's taken advantage by going 4-for-15 with a double in addition to his two long balls. However, he's at significant risk of losing playing time as early as Sunday, when Andrew McCutchen (elbow) is expected to return and will almost certainly resume his duties as the team's primary designated hitter.

McCutchen (elbow) said he expects to be activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen landed on the injured list July 7 with right elbow discomfort and seems to be trending toward a minimum stay. The 36-year-old veteran holds an .808 OPS through 316 plate appearances this season and could prove to be a valuable asset for Pittsburgh as the trade deadline approaches.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the Reds.

After slashing .200/.324/.253 across 179 plate appearances during the first half of the season, Winker's poor performance will cost him a start against right-hander Graham Ashcraft on Friday. William Contreras will instead serve as Milwaukee's designated hitter, allowing Victor Caratini to start behind the dish and bat fifth.

Harper could play first base as soon as this weekend, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper is at designated hitter Friday against the Padres, but it sounds like he could be at first base during Saturday's doubleheader or Sunday. It would be the first start he's made at the position as a pro, as the Phillies have opted to ease him back into defensive duties at a less strenuous spot rather than right field following last year's Tommy John surgery. Harper missed the final game before the All-Star break after being hit on his surgically repaired elbow by a pitch, but tests came back clean.