MLB Player News

Harper (wrist) will bat third and play right field Friday against Atlanta.

Harper took a pitch off his face and wrist back on April 28 and has appeared in just a single game since then. He attempted to return four days later but aggravated the wrist issue, forcing him to sit for four more days. He's fully cleared again after taking batting practice Thursday and will look to build on a strong start which has seen him post a .317/.446/.598 slash line through 24 games.

Vogelbach is not in the lineup Friday against lefty Trevor Rogers and the Marlins.

The Brewers have faced just four lefties this season, and Vogelbach hasn't been in the lineup against any of them. With Keston Hiura now in the minors, he doesn't have an obvious platoon partner, but it will be fellow lefty Billy McKinney who gets the nod at first base against Rogers.

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.