MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-1 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 13-12 loss to the Nationals.

The veteran enjoyed a brief yet immensely impactful afternoon, pinch hitting for Archie Bradley to give the Phillies a 9-5 lead in the fifth inning. McCutchen has struggled with a .225 average this season, but he has hit .315 with 18 RBI in his last 17 games. While the 34-year-old's best offensive days are behind him, he remains a decent contributor and is unlikely to cede the starting left field job this season.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs and two walks in Wednesday's 13-12 loss to the Nationals.

It was the second consecutive day with a homer for Harper, who has hit .289 with three homers, seven RBI and six walks since returning from the injured list June 5. Though he hasn't quite re-established his dominance from the beginning of the season, Harper has still been one of his team's most consistent offensive players, and that the home runs are starting to come bodes well for him going forward.

Belt's departure from Wednesday's game against the Angels was due to a right knee injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The veteran will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the nature and severity of the injury. Darin Ruf figures to get the majority of the reps at first base during Belt's absence, however long that may be.

Belt was removed from Wednesday's game against the Angels after injuring his leg in the eighth inning, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt appeared to have suffered the injury while rounding third on a throwing error. The play resulted in his being thrown out at home. Though he was able to walk off under his own power, Belt struggled down the dugout steps. Darin Ruf entered the game to play first base.

Vogelbach (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Vogelbach exited Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks with a hamstring strain, and manager Craig Counsell called the injury "significant." Keston Hiura was recalled by Milwaukee in a corresponding move and should serve as the primary first baseman in Vogelbach's absence. A better idea of the 28-year-old's return timetable could be known once the results of his MRI are revealed.

Miller will start at second base and bat fifth Wednesday against the Nationals.

For the second game in a row, Miller will draw the start at second base against a right-handed starting pitcher (Erick Fedde). Miller's usage would seem to signal that he's the Phillies' preferred option at the keystone versus right-handed pitching, leaving the righty-hitting Luke Williams in line to handle a short-side platoon role at the position.

McCutchen isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

McCutchen will get a rare day off after he went 0-for-6 with a walk and a strikeout across the last two games. Travis Jankowski will take over in left field and bat seventh.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell said after Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Diamondbacks that Vogelbach will miss time after sustaining a "significant" hamstring strain in the sixth inning, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Vogelbach, who went 1-for-3 in the contest, picked up the injury while rounding third base before scoring the Brewers' second run of the night. Daniel Robertson came on to replace Vogelbach in the bottom of the sixth, but the Brewers could call up Keston Hiura from Triple-A Nashville to step in as the team's primary first baseman while Vogelbach is on the shelf. Expect Milwaukee to officially announce Vogelbach's move to the injured list prior to the series finale in Arizona on Wednesday. According to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, Vogelbach will also be sent in for an MRI on Wednesday, so the Brewers should have an idea regarding a recovery timeline once the results of his tests become available.

Ruf (hamstring) went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Angels.

Ruf made his first appearance since May 26 after he missed nearly four weeks with a right hamstring strain. He hit third in the order Tuesday and served as the designated hitter with the Giants playing in an AL park. The 34-year-old is slashing .256/.375/.523 with six home runs, 15 RBI, 18 runs scored and a stolen base across 104 plate appearances. Ruf will likely be a depth option going forward, although he may see the short side of platoon in left field with Alex Dickerson or pick up time when Brandon Belt needs a day off at first base.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's loss to the Nationals.

Harper got the Phillies on the board by taking Max Scherzer deep in the second inning. It was the ninth long ball of the season for the 28-year-old and his first since June 8. Overall, Harper has compiled a .279/.386/.481 slash line across 51 games.