MLB Player News

Harper (wrist) was able to take swings in the batting cage prior to Thursday's 2-0 win over the Brewers, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was held out of the lineup for the entire four-game series with Milwaukee due to his sore left wrist, but his ability to get in some work in the cage offers some hope he'll avoid a trip to the injured list. The Phillies will likely see if he can take batting practice on the field Friday before determining his availability for their series opener in Atlanta later that day.

Harper (wrist) will remain on the bench Thursday against the Brewers, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was hit in the face and wrist by a pitch last Wednesday and has been in the lineup for just one out of eight games since then. The Phillies have still yet to place him on the injured list, however, so there's seemingly still some optimism that he'll be back in the lineup soon. Brad Miller will make another start in right field in his absence.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

His third-inning blast off Erick Fedde proved to be the difference in the game. Three of Ozuna's four homers on the year, and nine of his 19 RBI, have come in the last seven games as the veteran slugger climbs out of an early season hole.

Ruf went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

The 34-year-old didn't start Wednesday's contest, but he entered on a double switch during the fourth inning and ended up receiving three at-bats. Ruf has a .209/.340/.512 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI and nine runs in 53 plate appearances this season.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored during Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants.

The 34-year-old delivered a walkoff, three-run homer during Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader, and he followed up with a bases-loaded single to bring home two runs during the fourth inning Wednesday. Blackmon is off to a slow start this season with a .204/.315/.333 slash line, though he's 10-for-32 over his past nine games.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI during Wednesday's 1-0 win over the White Sox.

The 27-year-old had two of the seven total hits in the contest and delivered the only run of the game on a single during the bottom of the 10th inning. Winker has a .359/.422/.641 slash line with six homers, six doubles, 17 RBI and 20 runs through 23 games this season.

Turner slugged a solo home run in his only at-bat in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

The veteran third baseman went 0-for-3 with a walk in the matinee before starting the second game on the bench. He was called upon to pinch hit in the eighth inning with the Dodgers clinging to a one-run lead and slugged a solo shot to left field, though Los Angeles was unable to close out the win. Turner has been the team's most effective hitter early in the campaign, slashing .333/.415/.600 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.

Harper (wrist) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Harper was hit by a pitch on his face and wrist last Wednesday against the Cardinals and will be out of the lineup for the sixth time in the last seven games. Brad Miller will start in right field and bat second.

Dickerson (shoulder) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson is dealing with shoulder soreness that also forced him to sit out the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Jason Vosler will start in left field and bat seventh. For what it's worth, manager Gabe Kapler doesn't believe Dickerson's injury is a major one, with the skipper noting that he has "optimism" that the 30-year-old may be available off the bench for the series finale in Colorado on Wednesday, according to Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Brewers.

Miller made his lone hit of the contest count when he smacked a home run off southpaw Eric Lauer to right field. With the Phillies missing Jean Segura (quadriceps), Miller has gotten more regular playing time and now has three long balls on the season. However, Segura just began a rehab assignment, and his return will likely cut significantly into Miller's presence in the lineup moving forward.