MLB Player News

Ruf (hamstring) will miss "at least the next three weeks," Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Ruf was diagnosed with a Grade 2 hamstring strain at the end of May, and the injury has a 3-to-4 week recovery timeline. Manager Gabe Kapler provided an update on the 34-year-old's status Friday, and he'll likely be sidelined until at least the latter end of his recovery timetable.

Harper has decreased swelling in his forearm but isn't ready to be activated from the injured list, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 28-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll need more than the 10-day minimum to recover from a forearm contusion. Harper remains without an official timeline for his return, but based on comments from manager Joe Girardi, the outfielder is unlikely to be activated this weekend.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Giants.

Pederson provided all the offense the Cubs could muster, as he socked a two-run shot off Anthony DeSclafani in the third inning. It was the outfielder's fifth long ball of the campaign, and it ended his three-game hitless streak.

Winker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Winker slammed a two-run home run off Adam Wainwright with two outs in the second inning. His 14 home runs lead the Reds and are tied for third in the National League. The 27-year-old's .348 batting average is second to teammate Nick Castellanos in all of baseball. In addition, his 1.044 OPS is third in MLB.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's victory over the Rangers.

Blackmon's fourth long ball of the season came against Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning. He actually reached base on four occasions, starting off with a hit-by-pitch in the first frame. He then singled in the sixth and knocked in a two-run double in the seventh. It was the ninth multi-hit game of the season for the 34-year-old, who got off to a slow start but seems to be heating up lately with eight hits in his last four games. Blackmon is slashing .262/.362/.407 overall.

Belt (oblique) will take batting practice Thursday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old was expected to miss 10-to-14 days with the oblique strain and is eligible to be activated this weekend, and it appears he's on schedule in his recovery. Wilmer Flores should continue seeing time at first base until Belt can return.

Vogelbach will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been on the bench for six of the Brewers' last seven contests, but his absences have largely been a result of Milwaukee encountering a southpaw-heavy stretch of opposing starters. He'll be back in the lineup Thursday against Arizona right-hander Jon Duplantier, and Vogelbach still looks to be locked into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Keston Hiura.

McCutchen went 2-for-3 with two home runs, four total RBI and two walks in Tuesday's win over the Reds.

McCutchen hadn't gone deep since May 19 but delivered a vintage power display, as he recorded his second two-homer game of the campaign -- he had already accomplished this feat May 4 against the Brewers. Even though the veteran outfielder is not the player he once was, he's been a reliable fantasy contributor with nine homers, 25 RBI and 24 runs scored despite hitting just .209 across 215 plate appearances.

Dickerson is not starting Tuesday's game against the Angels, Alex Pavlovic of reports.

Having started just two games against lefty pitchers all season, Dickerson sits against Andrew Heaney. The day off doesn't come at a terrible time for the 31-year-old, who's hitless with five strikeouts in his last 12 at-bats. Mike Tauchman fills in for Dickerson as the left fielder Tuesday.

Miller will start in right field and bat fifth Tuesday against the Reds, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Miller appears to have solidified a spot in Philadelphia's everyday lineup; he'll be making his 10th consecutive start Tuesday, including his third in a row in right field. The veteran owns a strong .834 OPS over 116 plate appearances on the season, and he should be a decent source of power production for fantasy managers while Bryce Harper (forearm) is on the injured list.