MLB Player News

Harper went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Mets.

He kicked off the scoring with a two-run blast -- his seventh home run of the season -- off Matt Harvey in the first inning and then doubled and scored on Trea Turner's bases-loaded walk in the 11th to produce the winning run. Harper came into the game with the fourth highest career OPS in the month of April in baseball history -- behind only some guys named Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Barry Bonds -- and Friday's performance exemplified how the 24-year-old has earned his place alongside those legends.

Pederson will bat leadoff Friday against the Diamondbacks, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

Manager Dave Roberts has shaken up the batting order Friday against right-hander Taijuan Walker, seemingly in hopes of jump-starting the offense, as the Dodgers have scored a total of 10 runs in their last four games. Pederson isn't exactly hot at the dish right now, but at least he's continuing to take walks unlike Andrew Toles (two walks so far this season).

Turner (hand) is back in the lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks, batting third and playing third base, J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group reports.

Turner sat out Wednesday's contest after being plunked in the hand Tuesday, but it seems like everything is back to normal for the third baseman. He'll assume his normal spot in the lineup with Enrique Hernandez returning to a reserve role.

Cespedes (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

As expected, Cespedes will sit after suffering a hamstring injury during Thursday's game. Manager Terry Collins suggested Cespedes will probably need a few days out of the lineup, echoing what Cespedes said himself Thursday night. The skipper went on to say that Cespedes' injury is "beyond a cramp, but nothing serious," Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to the Brewers.

The 31-year-old has struggled a fair amount this season, with Thursday's blast being just the second extra-base hit he's logged through 14 games. Carpenter also struck out three times, marking the third game in the past week where he's fanned multiple times. However, he does seem to be turning a page, as he currently possesses a five-game hit streak and a .316 batting average over the past week.

Cespedes (hamstring) is expected to miss 2-to-3 days, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

With an MRI on tap for Friday, it appears that Cespedes will miss most of the Mets' upcoming series with the Nationals. He left Thursday's game with what he referred to as a "shock" in his hamstring, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The Mets' overall offensive depth will be tested if Cespedes does indeed miss the expected 2-to-3 days. Look for Juan Lagares to start while Cespedes is sidelined.

Cespedes (hamstring) will undergo an MRI on Friday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The All-Star slugger came out of Thursday's game with a left hamstring cramp, but the Mets will do their due diligence and make sure that cramping is the extent of the injury. At this time, Cespedes should be considered day-to-day and his status for Friday's series opener against the Nationals will be unclear until the results of the MRI are known. Juan Lagares could draw into the lineup if Cespedes is held out against Tanner Roark and the Nationals.

Cespedes was removed from Thursday's game against the Phillies due to a left hamstring cramp, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

The early indications are that Cespedes' injury is minor, which is a relief after he left the game in the fifth inning and limped back to the clubhouse. His status heading into Friday's series opener against the Nationals is unclear at this time, but if he's given the night off, the Mets could roll with Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto, and Juan Lagares in the outfield if they keep Jay Bruce at first base.

Cespedes exited Thursday's game against the Phillies with an undisclosed injury, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

According to Carig, Cespedes appeared to tweak something in his leg running the bases in the bottom of the fifth inning. Cespedes immediately went back to the tunnel after limping off the field. Juan Lagares has come on to replace Cespedes, taking over in center with Michael Conforto moving to left field. More information on Cespedes' status should be made available later Thursday, but this is nonetheless a serious concern for the Mets.

Harper went 4-for-4 with a walk, a double, two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI in Wednesday's 14-4 rout of the Braves.

Both blasts came off Julio Teheran, including a no-doubt grand slam in the second inning. Harper now has a .455/.538/1.182 slash line with seven home runs in 33 career at-bats against the Atlanta ace, but his overall numbers so far this season aren't too shabby either: .404/.516/.846 with six homers, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored in 14 games.