MLB Player News

Harper (knee) spent time taking fly balls in the outfield, running the bases and hitting during batting practice prior to Washington's game against the Mets, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Manager Dusty Baker said that the club will determine the next step for Harper following his simulated game Saturday, which will mark his second "live hitting" session since landing on the disabled list in mid-August. In the meantime, the club hasn't released much information regarding a timetable for his return, besides saying that he could be back as early as next week, as long as all goes well this weekend.

Carpenter (foot) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Carpenter exited Thursday's contest after fouling a ball off his foot, although it didn't seem overly serious at the time. As expected, the 31-year-old is in the lineup for the series opener against Cincinnati, while batting leadoff and manning the hot corner.

Winker is not in the lineup against the Red Sox on Friday, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports.

Winker will get the day off following six straight starts, including a 2-for-5 day at the plate, with a double, during Thursday's loss to St. Louis. In his place, Scott Schebler will take over in right for the series opener.

Carpenter left Thursday's game partially due to manager Mike Matheny's desire to get more speed in the game, and partially because he fouled a ball off his foot, Derrick Goold of the St. Loius Post-Dispatch reports. He finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Harrison Bader pinch hit for Carpenter in a close game, so his ailing foot likely had a part to play in the veteran exiting before the game's conclusion. It remains to be seen if this is an issue that will linger, but he should be considered day-to-day for now.

X-rays on Turner's right thumb came back negative, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

This is a big sigh of relief for Turner and the Dodgers, as the third baseman seems to have avoided a potentially more serious injury after getting hit by a pitch on his right thumb in the first inning Thursday. While he was initially able to stay in the game after being checked on by trainers, the Dodgers removed him in the following inning and sent him for tests to make sure he wasn't dealing with anything more than a bruise. Everything checked out, which is good news, but his status for the Dodgers' weekend series against the Giants remains up in the air. With the Dodgers close to clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs -- despite their recent struggles and the Nationals' surge -- they may not be in a rush if Turner isn't 100 percent. Logan Forsythe would likely see some starts at third base if Turner is forced to miss any time.

Turner was removed from Thursday's game against the Phillies after getting hit by a pitch on his right thumb, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Turner was plunked in the top of the first inning Thursday, and while he was initially able to stay in the contest after getting checked out by trainers, he was ultimately replaced by Austin Barnes prior to the second inning. The severity of the injury is still unclear, but more should be known once he is reevaluated following the conclusion of Thursday's game.

Turner was hit by a pitch in the chest and right hand Thursday in the first inning against the Phillies, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. However, he's staying in the game after being checked on by trainers, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It appears Turner has dodged an immediate catastrophe but will be monitored as the game goes along. Stay tuned for updates later Thursday.

Martinez went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 13-7 win over the Padres.

Martinez's 41st homer of the season helped tie things up at 6-6 in the sixth inning, helping the Diamondbacks climb out of an early hole. With 12 long balls in 17 September contests, Martinez is already tied for third in National League history for home runs during the season's final month. With eight games still to go on the month, Martinez will take aim at surpassing the record total of 15 taters that Troy Tulowitzki hit as a member of the Rockies in September 2010.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Wednesday's win over Cincinnati.

The veteran is turning in an interesting September with an impressive .931 OPS despite going just 7-for-36 at the dish. Considering he's playing through a nagging shoulder ailment, his .500 slugging percentage for the month is especially impressive. Still, he's probably best viewed as a boom-or-bust option over the final weeks of the campaign, and there is always a chance Carpenter is shut down ic the Cardinals get mathematically eliminated from the postseason.

Stanton went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in Wednesday's win over the Mets.

The only game Stanton went without homering in this three-game set was Tuesday, when Mets pitchers walked him four times. Stanton went through a little slump that lasted from late August into mid-September (.145/.264/.306 with just three homers and three RBI over a 17-game span), which isn't very good timing as far as the fantasy playoffs go, but he's bounced back from that beautifully. His 56 homers are easily good for tops in baseball (by 11 over the second-place Aaron Judge), and his 120 RBI are second only to Nolan Arenado's 125.