MLB Player News
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Homers in Game 1, sitting Game 2
Turner is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Diamondbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Turner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two strikeouts during Game 1 and will take a seat for Tuesday's nightcap. Max Muncy will man the hot corner while Edwin Rios bats cleanup as the designated hitter.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: May not return until Thursday
Harper (elbow), who's out of the lineup Tuesday against the Padres, may miss Wednesday's game as well, but he hopes to return for Thursday's series finale, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Harper received a platelet-rich plasma injection to address the UCL sprain in his right elbow, an injury he's been able to play through as a designated hitter. He could wind up missing at least three days due to the shot, but a trip to the injured list doesn't appear to be on the table at this time.
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Christopher Morel 1B | NYM
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Makes jump from Double-A to majors
The Cubs recalled Morel from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday.
During his six-year minor-league career, the 22-year-old Morel has seen work at every position except first base, catcher and pitcher, so he'll provide the Cubs with some added versatility off the bench during his first taste of the big leagues. The righty-hitting Morel, who posted a .937 OPS in 123 plate appearances at Tennessee, is likely to see most of his initial opportunities as a short-side platoon option in center field alongside the lefty-hitting Rafael Ortega, while Jason Heyward is on the COVID-19-related injured list.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Brewers' Andrew McCutchen: Likely to return by weekend
Brewers president of baseball operations David Stearns said McCutchen (illness) will "probably" be activated from the COVID-19-related injured list ahead of Wednesday's series finale with Atlanta or Friday's series opener with Washington, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Whether the Brewers choose to bring McCutchen back Wednesday or following Thursday's team off day will hinge on how he fares from a conditioning standpoint during his full workout Tuesday. While McCutchen has been on the shelf for the past week and a half, the Brewers have mostly rotated Rowdy Tellez and Christian Yelich at designated hitter, which has opened up more opportunities for Jace Peterson and Tyrone Taylor.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Marlins' Jorge Soler: Receives maintenance day
Soler is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Brian Anderson will pick up the start in the outfield in place of Soler, who is sitting for only the third time through the Marlins' first 36 games of the season. Unless he's used off the bench Tuesday as a pinch hitter, Soler should check back into the lineup for the series finale Wednesday, when he'll put a seven-game hitting streak on the line.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Remains out Tuesday
Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres.
After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection over the weekend for the UCL sprain in his right elbow that has kept him from playing the outfield since April 16, Harper will be on the bench for the second game in a row while he waits for the shot to take effect. The Phillies expect that Harper will feel well enough to resume designated-hitter duties within the next few days, though it's unclear if he'll get the green light to re-enter the lineup before the team's three-game series with the Padres ends Thursday.
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Mark Canha LF | TEX
Mets' Mark Canha: Sitting in Game 1
Canha will sit for the first part of Tuesday's doubleheader against St. Louis.
Canha has struggled to a .502 OPS over his last nine games. Jeff McNeil moves out to left field in Canha's absence, with Luis Guillorme starting at second base, though Canha should return for the nightcap.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Brewers' Andrew McCutchen: Will ramp up quickly
McCutchen is expected to get back up to speed quickly once he's activated from the COVID-19 injured list, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.
McCutchen has been on the IL since May 7, but manager Craig Counsell expects him to be back in action for the Brewers shortly after he's cleared to return. "It'll be a quick ramp-up," said Counsell. "This is not a long process for him to get back ready but we have to get him back in the building." The former MVP was hitting .240 with two homers, 14 RBI, three stolen bases and 11 runs scored through 25 games prior to landing on the injured list.
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Cooper Hummel LF | HOU
Diamondbacks' Cooper Hummel: Not starting Monday
Hummel isn't starting Monday against the Dodgers.
Even though Seth Beer was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Sunday, Hummel will be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last seven games. Daulton Varsho will serve as the designated hitter while Jose Herrera starts behind the dish.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Hammers long ball
Pederson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 15-6 loss to the Cardinals.
Pederson went yard for the first time since April 25. Since that date, he's hit a pitiful .086 (3-for-35) in 13 games. That brutal slump has essentially erased his hot start -- he's slashing .244/.297/.524 with seven homers, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored and a stolen base through 91 plate appearances. Pederson's lost playing time to Luis Gonzalez, who has taken over the starting role in left field. Going forward, Pederson will likely be the designated hitter against right-handed pitchers, splitting that position with Wilmer Flores and Darin Ruf.