MLB Player News

Harper (elbow) isn't expected to be available to play right field until after the All-Star break after he was advised not to throw for six weeks upon receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection for his right elbow Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The six-week rest period would come to an end in early July, but since Harper would still need additional time after that to build up his throwing distance, the Phillies are preparing for him to be a full-time designated hitter for the remainder of the first half of the season. Perhaps no player has benefited more from the implementation of the universal designated hitter in 2022 than Harper, who likely would have gone on the injured list weeks ago if not for being available in a non-defensive role. Playing through the UCL sprain in his elbow hasn't hindered him at the plate, as Harper has maintained a .995 OPS through 147 plate appearances on the season. As a result of the recent PRP injection, Harper is still experiencing enough pain that he'll be out of the lineup Wednesday against the Padres for the third consecutive game, but the Phillies anticipate that he'll be ready to handle DH duties by the weekend, if not Thursday's series finale with San Diego.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly said Soler isn't starting in Wednesday's game against the Nationals while he contends with lower-back stiffness, Andre Fernandez of the Miami Herald reports.

Mattingly is hopeful that consecutive days out of the lineup coupled with Thursday's team off day will provide sufficient recovery time for Soler, who is expected to rejoin the starting nine for Friday's series opener in Atlanta. With Soler on the bench Wednesday, Brian Anderson will draw the start in left field.

Morel is starting at third base and batting eighth in Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

A day after hitting his first MLB home run as a pinch hitter in his first career at-bat, Morel will pick up his first start in the majors. The 22-year-old got the call from Double-A Tennessee to provide some outfield depth with Jason Heyward hitting the COVID-19 injured list, but Morel can also play some third base. Patrick Wisdom gets a rest day to make room at the hot corner.

Harper (elbow) isn't starting Wednesday against the Padres.

The Phillies were pessimistic about Harper's availability for Wednesday's matchup, and he'll officially be held out of the lineup for a third straight game after he received a platelet-rich plasma injection over the weekend. However, the team is hopeful that he'll be back in action for Thursday's series finale. Odubel Herrera, Roman Quinn and Nick Castellanos will start in the outfield from left to right while Kyle Schwarber serves as the designated hitter Wednesday.

The Diamondbacks placed Hummel on the injured list Wednesday without a designation, implying that he's been added to the COVID-19-related IL.

Hummel had been in line to make his third consecutive start in Wednesday's series finale with the Dodgers, but he was ultimately scratched after testing positive for the virus or being ruled out due to contact-tracing-related concerns. In a corresponding move, Arizona called up infielder Yonny Hernandez from Triple-A Reno.

Soler isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The Marlins haven't given any indication that Soler is dealing with an injury, but he'll remain out of the lineup for a second straight game to close out the series against Washington. Brian Anderson will shift to left field while Erik Gonzalez starts at third base.

Ruf will start in left field and bat second in Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ruf has enjoyed a big series in Colorado thus far, going 4-for-6 with two doubles, two walks, four runs and three RBI between the first two contests. He'll stick in the lineup for the second straight game with a southpaw (Kyle Freeland) on the hill for Colorado, but Ruf still looks like he'll serve as mostly a short-side platoon player moving forward now that the Giants have all of their key position players healthy.

Pederson is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will take a seat Wednesday as the Giants take on left-hander Kyle Freeland. The outfielder has gone 2-for-20 with a homer and three RBI in his last six games, so the day off could help him get back into his groove. Darin Ruf will enter the lineup in left field and bat second in the series finale.

Appearing as a pinch hitter, Morel delivered a solo home run in his only at-bat during Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

Morel began his MLB career with a bang, delivering a home run in his first at-bat during the eighth inning of the 7-0 win. He is the first Cubs player to homer in his first career at-bat since Willson Contreras did so in 2016, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 22-year-old was recalled from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday to replace Jason Heyward, who landed on the COVID-19-related injured list. Morel should be on the short side of a platoon in center with Rafael Ortega, so he may not see enough playing time in the short term to have a ton of fantasy value.

McCutchen (illness) won't be activated from the COVID-19 injured list for Wednesday's series finale versus Atlanta, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran outfielder was scheduled for a full workout Tuesday, and the team apparently wants to give him a couple more days to keep ramping up before he rejoins the active roster. McCutchen is now expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Nationals.