MLB Player News

Harper went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two RBI in the Phillies' 5-3 win over the Mets on Saturday.

Harper has now doubled in five consecutive games to bring his total to 38 on the season, leaving him two shy of the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario and the Cardinals' Tommy Edman for the MLB lead. The 28-year-old is currently in the midst of a 14-game hitting streak, his longest as a member of the Phillies. With a 1.056 OPS to go with 33 home runs, 92 runs, 79 RBI and 13 steals, Harper is enjoying his best season since his 2015 National League MVP campaign with Washington. He remains a candidate to take home the hardware again in 2021, though the Padres' Fernando Tatis still looks like the favorite with two weeks left in the season.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup Saturday against the Cubs, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach started the last seven games but will head to the bench with southpaw Justin Steele pitching for Chicago. Eduardo Escobar will shift to first base while Pablo Reyes starts at the hot corner.

Blackmon is not in Saturday's lineup against the Nationals.

Blackmon will sit for the second time in the team's last three games, this time with lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound. He could continue getting time off here and there to close the season, as the Rockies called up Ryan Vilade from Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.

Winker was placed on the 10-day injured list due to an intercostal strain Saturday.

Winker was activated from the injured list Friday after being sidelined with the same issue for around one month. However, he appeared to aggravate the injury on a swing in the team's game Friday night and exited shortly thereafter when he was hit by a pitch in the back. The end result could be a frustrating end to the season for Winker, who has posted an excellent .305/.394/.556 line across 485 plate appearances.

Belt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over Atlanta.

The first baseman made his biggest contribution early, hitting a game-tying blast in the first inning. Belt has put together an impressive September so far, slashing .328/.426/.707 with six homers, 13 RBI, 15 runs scored and four doubles in his last 14 games. His .582 slugging percentage for the year is just nine points shy of his career-best mark from 51 games last season, and his 26 long balls are by far the most in a campaign for the 33-year-old.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Winker returned from a rib injury Friday but failed to complete a full game before getting hurt again, as he exited after getting hit by a pitch on his back. This latest injury presumably isn't a long-term problem, but it will cost him at least one start. Max Schrock starts in left field Saturday, with Delino DeShields starting in center, the spot Winker occupied in his return to action.

Winker exited Friday's game against the Dodgers after being hit by a pitch in the back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friday's contest was Winker's first game back since landing on the injured list with a rib injury Aug. 15. It's unclear how serious the new issue may be, but the fact that he has also dealt with back problems at various points in the campaign raises the level of concern.

Beer was placed on the 10-day injured list with a dislocated left shoulder Friday.

Beer left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers with the injury, though reports from Wednesday indicated that he was feeling better. The Diamondbacks evidently weren't satisfied with his progress, so he'll be out for at least another week. Kole Calhoun (hamstring) returned from the injured list to take his place on the roster.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

McCutchen started the past three games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs Thursday versus the Cubs. Matt Vierling will take over in left field and bat eighth.

The Reds activated Winker (ribs) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

An intercostal strain has sidelined the outfielder since mid-August but he's back to help the Reds battle for a wild-card spot. Slashing .307/.395/.560 with 24 home runs and 71 RBI this season, Winker is undoubtedly one of his team's best hitters and figures to occupy the two-spot in Cincinnati's lineup going forward. He fills the roster spot of Tyler Naquin (ribs), who went on the injured list Friday.