MLB Player News

Blackmon is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Brewers.

Kris Bryant will take a turn in the designated hitter role and bat second in the Rockies' series opener versus Milwaukee. Jurickson Profar, Brenton Doyle and Randal Grichuk are starting across the outfield.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Astros.

Pederson's first home run since April 3 gave the Giants a 2-1 lead in the third. He continues to periodically sit out versus lefties and missed a two-week stretch due to a wrist injury, but his .255/.354/.509 slash line through 17 games is encouraging. During his first season with San Francisco last year, Pederson slashed .274/.353/.521 with 23 homers and 70 RBI across 134 games.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that Harper (elbow) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Thomson said that he wanted to give Harper off for Monday's series opener in Los Angeles because of a hectic schedule that included a doctor's appointment, but the two-time National League MVP will be ready to make his season debut 160 days after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The Phillies could give Harper a day off or two in his first couple weeks back in action since he didn't go on a minor-league rehab assignment and is returning from surgery sooner than anticipated, but he should otherwise be a mainstay in the lineup at designated hitter beginning with Tuesday's contest. Harper began working out at first base a few weeks ago and could eventually be an option at that position, but playing the outfield is most likely off the table for him in 2023.

Martinez (back) won't be activated from the 10-day injured list during the Dodgers' upcoming weekend series against the Padres, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez is eligible to come off the 10-day IL beginning Friday in San Diego, but skipper Dave Roberts noted Monday that he expects the slugger to need at least a few extra days before being activated. If all goes well over the next week, Martinez could be ready to return to the starting lineup for the team's series against the Brewers, which is scheduled to begin May 8.

Carpenter is starting at designated hitter and batting fifth for the Padres in Monday's game against the Reds, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Carpenter has been swinging a hot bat, going 8-for-17 with two home runs and 10 RBI over his last seven contests. It's been a pretty strict platoon between Carpenter and Nelson Cruz at DH for the Padres, with Carpenter also seeing the occasional start at first base.

Harper (elbow) has been medically cleared and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, when he'll likely serve as the Phillies' designated hitter against the Dodgers, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Harper visited with Dr. Neal ElAttrache -- the physician who performed his Tommy John surgery Nov. 23 -- on Monday and was officially given the green light to return to game action in a non-defensive role. Even for a position player, Harper's recovery from Tommy John surgery has been remarkably quick, as he had initially been projected to be out until around the All-Star break. Harper has been working out at first base in the event the Phillies want to ease him into the field at that position, though it'll probably be a while before he's anything other than a DH. While Harper's bat could be a little rusty following a long layoff and no rehab assignment, fantasy managers and the Phillies will certainly welcome the slugger back into their lineups.

Carpenter went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Giants in Mexico City.

After sitting against lefty Sean Manaea on Saturday in the first contest of the two-game set in Mexico City, Carpenter drew back into the starting nine Sunday while Ha-Seong Kim received the day off. Carpenter proceeded to help the Padres complete their comeback from an early 4-0 deficit, with his two-run double in the bottom of the eighth breaking a tie and effectively serving as the game-winning hit. He concluded April with a seven extra-base hits (two home runs, five doubles) and 10 RBI in his final seven games of the month.

Canha is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader with Atlanta.

Canha will get a breather as the Mets gear up to play two games Monday, heading to the bench after he went 0-for-2 in the first game of the series. Jeff McNeil will start in left field while Luis Guillorme enters the lineup at second base and bats eighth.

Meneses went 4-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's victory over the Pirates.

Meneses has been heating up after a sluggish start to the season, going 11-for-31 over his last seven games. However, the 30-year-old Menses has yet to hit for the power he demonstrated in his breakthrough rookie season, with just one home run and seven extra-base hits through his first 112 at-bats this year. He's now slashing .286/.316/.366 with 10 RBI and eight runs scored through 117 plate appearances.

Harper (elbow) will see a doctor Monday and expects to return to the Phillies' lineup Tuesday against the Dodgers if he's cleared, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Harper underwent Tommy John surgery last November and was initially targeting a return around the All-Star break, but if he's cleared to suit up Tuesday, he'd beat that projection by over two months. The 30-year-old would serve exclusively as a designated hitter upon his return, but his clearance would provide a significant boost to the Phillies' lineup. He hit .286 with 18 home runs, 65 RBI, 63 runs and 11 stolen bases over 99 games last year.