MLB Player News
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Goes deep Wednesday
Turner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.
Turner has looked strong in his first two games back from his brief layoff, adding a home run to the single and double he produced in Tuesday's contest. The extra-base hits are a great sign for his fantasy owners, as power is usually the last thing to return for a batter following a serious wrist injury.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Giants' Andrew McCutchen: Seventh homer Wednesday
McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and a double in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins.
McCutchen got the Giants on the board early with his homer in the top of the first inning, but they ultimately couldn't make it hold up in the 5-4 defeat. The 31-year-old has notched multi-hit efforts in six of his last seven starts, hitting four doubles, two home runs and six RBI over that span. Though he got off to a slow start over the opening two months, McCutchen is now up to a .262/.351/.447 slash line following his recent outburst.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Won't return over weekend
Manager Bruce Bochy said he expects Belt (appendicitis) to return during the Giants' upcoming homestand, which begins Monday and runs through June 28, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
There was hope that Belt would be cleared to return from the disabled list over the weekend, but that's no longer in play. The first baseman is expected to head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment once he's ready to start playing games. He's been out since undergoing an appendectomy June 2.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Day off Wednesday
Carpenter is on the bench Wednesday against the Padres.
The veteran infielder is hitting .324 over his last eight games, bringing his season line up to a respectable .232/.335/.418. Jedd Gyorko will handle the hot corner in his place Wednesday.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Back in lineup Wednesday
Harper is in the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees.
Harper left Tuesday's game after getting hit in the foot by a pitch, but the issue was evidently a minor one as he won't have to miss a start. The Nationals must not be very concerned, as he'll have the added responsibility of manning center field Wednesday.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Collects two hits in return
Turner (wrist) went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's blowout win over the Rangers.
Turner made his second return from a wrist injury he sustained in spring training after feeling discomfort following his first comeback attempt in May. The slugging third baseman has some work to do after slashing a meager .243/.325/.343 in 19 games prior to his brief layoff, but the fact that he roped an extra-base hit is a promising sign that his wrist may finally be back at full strength.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Three extra-base hits
Pederson went 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles in Tuesday's win over the Rangers.
Pederson's two-run blast in the second inning was part of an early barrage against starter Bartolo Colon, whom the Dodgers tagged for eight runs in under four innings. The 26-year-old has been on an absolutely absurd tear in June, slashing .481/.481/.1.444 with seven home runs, five doubles, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored in just nine games (seven starts).
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Expects to play Wednesday
Manager Dave Martinez expects Harper (foot) to be in the lineup Wednesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.
Harper was dealing with numbness in his left foot when he exited in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch, but is apparently confident that he won't miss a single start. The 25-year-old underwent X-rays on his toe, which revealed no further issues, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports. Expect the Nationals to use caution if any issues happen to crop up for Harper overnight, especially with an off day Thursday looming to offer an additional day of rest.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Hit by two pitches Tuesday, exits game
Harper left Tuesday's game against the Yankees in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch on the left foot, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.
Harper was also hit in the right elbow during the fifth inning, but stayed in the game despite appearing to be in a fair amount of pain, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports. The severity of the issue is unclear at this point, and Harper should be considered day-to-day for the time being.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Set for batting practice
Belt (appendicitis) will participate in a full batting practice Wednesday, the Mercury News reports.
Manager Bruce Bochy hinted that it's possible Belt could be activated from the disabled list this weekend, perhaps after a brief minor-league rehab assignment. Belt was originally projected to miss three weeks after undergoing an appendectomy June 2. He currently leads the Giants in home runs with 11 and has been a top-10 fantasy first baseman to date despite the missed time.