MLB Player News

Harper (back) is starting Friday's game against the Pirates.

Harper exited Thursday's nightcap against the Nationals due to back spasms, but he won't miss any additional time. He's gone 6-for-11 with a home run, two doubles, three runs, two RBI and six walks across his last five games.

Soler was traded from Kansas City to Atlanta on Friday in exchange for Kasey Kalich, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran slugger has an underwhelming .192/.288/.370 slash line through 94 games this year, but he's picked things up in 12 contests since the All-Star break with a 1.066 OPS, six home runs and 7:9 BB:K. Atlanta has completely remade its outfield ahead of the trade deadline, with Soler, Eddie Rosario (abdomen) and Adam Duvall all being acquired Friday following the addition of Joc Pederson two weeks ago.

Miller went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run scored in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Miller went 0-for-2 in the first game, but he made his presence felt in the eighth inning of the nightcap in a big way. His extra-inning grand slam off reliever Sam Clay lifted the Phillies to a huge win. and it also allowed Miller to reach double-digit homers for the second time in the last three seasons and for the fifth time in his career. The infielder is hitting .235 with a .764 OPS on the year.

Vientos went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has been producing a lot of souvenirs lately, slugging eight of his 20 homers on the season over the last 18 games while slashing .273/.347/.682. Vientos remains on track for a potential 2022 big-league debut, particularly if he adapts well to a flexible defensive role -- he's played 10 games each at first base and in left field this season for Binghamton in addition to his regular work at the hot corner.

Harper was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals with back spasms, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's not believed to be a serious issue, as Harper expects to be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now.

Harper exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Nationals in the bottom of the third inning with an apparent injury, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper started both ends of the twin bill, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances on the day (one double, three walks) before departing when his second turn through the batting order came up in Game 2. According to Lauber, Harper appeared to be hurting when he made an error in the outfield in the top of the third, so the Phillies opted to pull him from the contest to further evaluate him. Expect the team to provide an update on Harper's condition later Thursday or shortly before Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh.

Vogelbach (hamstring) will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment Friday.

Vogelbach has been on the shelf for just over a month with the strained left hamstring, so the Brewers will likely keep him on the rehab assignment at least through the weekend while he works to get his timing back at the plate following the layoff. Before sustaining the injury, Vogelbach had been serving as Milwaukee's primary starting first baseman against right-handed pitching, but the recent trade acquisitions of Rowdy Tellez and Eduardo Escobar could put his role in flux. Vogelbach and Tellez in particular appear to be redundant as lefty-hitting power bats who can only play first base, so expect one of the two to lose his spot on the active roster once Vogelbach is reinstated. Tellez is the likelier candidate of the two to be sent out, given that he still has a minor-league option remaining.

Dickerson will sit Thursday against the Dodgers, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson will sit against lefty David Price. Thairo Estrada will be the left fielder in his absence.

Hummel and fellow minor-leaguer Alberto Ciprian were traded from the Brewers to the Diamondbacks on Wednesday in exchange for infielder Eduardo Escobar, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.

Hummel has hit well at the Triple-A level in 2021 with a .254/.435/.508 slash line, six homers, 41 walks, 15 RBI and 27 runs in 168 plate appearances. The 26-year-old is listed as an outfielder but has also seen time at catcher and first base this season.

Blackmon is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Angels, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon started the past 13 games and will receive a day off with lefty Andrew Heaney pitching for the Angels. The veteran outfielder has found an offensive rhythm since the All-Star break, going 15-for-40 with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI, seven runs and two stolen bases in 10 games. Sam Hilliard will start in right field in his place.