MLB Player News

Harper (thumb) is in the lineup Friday against the Marlins, radio play-by-play announcer Charlie Slowes reports.

Harper had sat out the previous four games with a thumb injury, and with the Nationals already clinching the NL East title it wasn't a given that he'd return before the end of the regular season. He's apparently recovered enough though, as he'll slot back into the starting lineup to open up the final series of the year, manning his usual responsibilities in right field and batting third against Miami starter Andrew Cashner.

Manager Joe Maddon hopes Soler (side) can participate in batting practice during Chicago's weekend series with the Reds before working through a simulated game Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Soler likely isn't going to be a factor in the waning days of the 2016 fantasy season but may have at least a platoon role in the playoffs. Daily fantasy competitors for October ball may find a cheap stick to use against lefty pitchers.

Pederson is in the starting lineup and hitting eighth Thursday against the Padres.

It's just Pederson's seventh start in Los Angeles' 43 games against a left-handed pitcher this year. Perhaps the Dodgers figured he could handle Christian Friedrich, who's saddled with a 4.66 ERA. Pederson could be a sneaky daily fantasy punt play, but it's hard to argue strongly for a bat with a .091/.239/.164 line in 55 at-bats against southpaws.

Soler (side) joined the Cubs in Pittsburgh on Thursday but is not expected to play, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

Soler is back with the club a little sooner than expected, but he will not return to the lineup any earlier. It remains to be seen if he will get into a game before the regular season ends.

Harper (thumb) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Diamondbacks, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chase Hughes reports.

This doesn't come as a major surprise, as the Nationals are being cautious with their star right fielder with the division sewn up. Thursday marks the fourth game in a row that Harper will miss with the thumb injury, with Michael Taylor getting the start in right field.

Turner is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Turner will take a rare seat against a right-handed pitcher Wednesday with the Dodgers facing Luis Perdomo. He's hitting .306 with a .925 OPS against righties on the year, but with the postseason approaching, manager Dave Roberts opted to give him a day off for the first time in over two weeks. Howie Kendrick will take over at third base Wednesday.

Soler (side) is expected to join the team for the weekend series in Cincinnati, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

He has missed the last three games after a side injury flared up over the weekend, but an MRI came back clean and he'll be with the club for the final series of the regular season. It's unclear when he will get back in the lineup, but the Cubs would undoubtedly like to have his bat available against lefties in the postseason, and if possible they would probably like to get him some at-bats before the end of the regular season to get him back in the zone.

Harper (thumb) remains out of the lineup Wednesday, CSN's Chase Hughes reports.

Harper will sit out for the third day in a row as a result of the thumb injury he suffered sliding into third base in Sunday's game. Brian Goodwin will get the start in right field in Harper's place.

Belt went 3-for-5 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a pair of runs scored in Tuesday's 12-3 win over Colorado.

The Giants' first baseman returned to the lineup after getting Sunday off and fell a homer shy of the cycle. Manager Bruce Bochy has been batting Belt and his .389 on-base percentage second over his last two starts in an effort get guys on base in front of Buster Posey and Hunter Pence. The move has paid immediate dividends with Belt reaching base five times and scoring twice in the two games since the lineup shift.

Soler (side) underwent an MRI Tuesday and everything came back clean, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Soler's side injury flared up after he returned to the lineup Saturday, but it seems that the outfielder avoided any major setbacks from the incident. He's expected to rejoin the team in Cincinnati this week, though it's unclear how quickly the Cubs will push him back into the lineup with the postseason so close.