MLB Player News
-
Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Strikes out three times in return
Belt (wrist) went hitless with three strikeouts and a walk in Tuesday's game against Cleveland.
Belt had missed the previous two games with a sprained wrist after being scratched from Sunday's game against San Diego. He will resume his duties at first base looking to improve on his .242 average at the plate now that he's back.
-
Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Double short of cycle Tuesday
Harper went 4-for-4 with a triple, a solo home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's win over the Angels.
Round one of this week's marquee showdown with Mike Trout went to the Nationals' slugger. Harper now has four homers in his last five games and has already matched last season's total with 24 blasts through 86 contests.
-
Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Four-hit game keeps average pointing north
Carpenter went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles, an RBI and a run against the Mets on Tuesday.
Uncharacteristically a .231 hitter through his first 80 games of 2017, Carpenter has heated up in a big way lately, racking up 14 hits in his last 31 at-bats (.452), including five doubles -- pulling his average up to a more respectable .253. At the same time, he hasn't hit a home run since June 24; in that interim, he's posted an 18.8 percent walk rate and an 8.8 percent strikeout rate, suggesting that Carpenter may be making a conscious decision to put the ball in play more and pull up his average rather than trying to jack it out of the yard.
-
J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Diamondbacks' J.D. Martinez: Trade to Diamondbacks official
Martinez was traded to the Diamondbacks on Tuesday in exchange for Dawel Lugo, Sergio Alcantara and Jose King.
Shortly after word of the trade broke, the two team confirmed the deal, with the Tigers releasing an updated lineup with Alex Presley in right. Martinez is a free agent after this season, so he's just a rental, but he boosts the already-scary Diamondbacks offense to a new level. The move from a pitcher-friendly home park to one of the more hitter-friendly parks in the league could result in even more power than we've seen from the 29-year-old.
-
Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Returns to action Tuesday
Belt (wrist) is back in the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, batting third and playing first base, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Belt was available as a defensive replacement Monday night, so it isn't too surprising to see him back in the lineup Tuesday. He'll resume his normal spot in the order as he looks to build on his .244/.352/.470 slash line.
-
Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Ropes 23rd homer Monday
Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Monday's win over the Reds.
The homer was his third in four games since the All-Star break and 23rd of the year. Harper's also reached base in 20 consecutive games, slashing .390/.500/.662 over that stretch with five home runs, 17 RBI and 20 runs. The only disappointing thing about the 24-year-old superstar's campaign has been his two steals in four attempts, but when you're posting a 1.048 OPS, there's little reason to risk injury on the basepaths.
-
Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Reds' Jesse Winker: Sent back to Louisville
Winker was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.
Only one of the Reds' starters (Luis Castillo) during the team's recently completed four-game series with the Nationals was able to cover more than 4.1 innings, so Lisalverto Bonilla was recalled from Triple-A to give an overworked bullpen an extra arm. Winker, who had started just one of seven games since being recalled from Louisville, was a luxury the Reds could no longer afford to keep on the active roster, so he'll clear a spot for Bonilla and return to the minors to pick up everyday at-bats. Winker should rank as one of the top candidates for a promotion when the Reds next require an additional bench bat or a spare outfielder.
-
Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton: Homers twice against Phillies
Stanton went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI during Monday's win over Philadelphia.
Stanton is now up to seven homers in July and 28 for the season. Alongside the bombs, he sports a .275/.363/.580 slash line with 62 RBI and 63 runs, and the outfielder projects to remain an elite fantasy asset moving forward. Barring injury, he has an excellent shot at leading the National League -- and potentially all of baseball -- in home runs.
-
Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Available as defensive replacement Monday
Belt (wrist) is available as a defensive replacement Monday against the Indians, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Belt's wrist is reportedly feeling much better, and although he isn't willing to test it with the bat Monday evening, he does expect to receive clearance Tuesday. He's day-to-day for now, but a Tuesday return seems to be fairly reasonable at this point.
-
Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Remains out Monday
Belt (wrist) is not in the lineup Monday against the Indians, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
This marks the second consecutive game the Giants' first baseman will miss due to a sprained wrist. No word on Belt's progress has come forth, but in the meantime, Jae-Gyun Hwang seems to be in line to pick up more starts at first base, as he will Monday evening.