MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper played a key role in Wednesday's extra-inning win against the Braves, as he scored the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning after getting on base via a one-out double.

However, after the game, it was revealed Harper sustained an injury to his right leg as he slid awkwardly into second base on the double.

"It was a cramp when he went into second," Nationals manager Matt Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "Standing there it got a little bit better. He told me he could score if there was a base hit. So, it subsided a little bit, we'll see how it acts when he wakes up in the morning.

"Doc'll take a look at him, trainers will take a look at him when we get back in there and we'll see what we got."

Harper, who went 2 for 5 with one RBI, downplayed the issue.

"I just felt a cramp," Harper said after the game, per MLB.com. "I just got done working out, so I haven't even gotten treatment yet. But, pretty much just a cramp."

He is batting .375 (27 for 72) with six doubles, six home runs, 15 RBI, 11 runs, 10 walks, 11 strikeouts and one stolen base in 20 June games.

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon went 2 for 4 in Wednesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

The multi-hit performance extended Blackmon's hitting streak to eight games.

Over his last eight games, Blackmon is hitting .419 with 13 hits, four doubles and 10 RBI.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner hit his 10th home run of the season in a win against the Cubs on Wednesday.

Turner hit a three-run blast in the third inning and put his team in a prime position to take the win.

Turner's been on an offensive tear over the last few weeks, hitting .383 with five home runs and 15 RBI over his last 16 games.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton continued his MVP-caliber season during Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.

Stanton went 3 for 6 with a solo home run, his league-leading 27th blast of the season.

Over his last 21 games, Stanton is hitting a mind-boggling .370 with 12 home runs and 23 RBI.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter has returned to the starting lineup for Wednesday's matchup with the Marlins. Carpenter was out of Tuesday's game with back tightness, but he is able to give it a go on Wednesday.

He is 4 for 14 lifetime against Marlins starter Mat Latos.

Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon went 1 for 2 with two walks in Tuesday's win over Arizona. 

Blackmon doubled, his twelfth of the year, scored once and drove in his 31st run. 

Blackmon has now hit in seven straight games. He's hitting .407 with 1.240 OPS over the streak. 

The Phillies placed second baseman Chase Utley on the disabled list with inflammation in his right ankle, the team announced.

"It's hard to tell," Utley said, per MLB.com when asked how much the ankle has affected him at the plate. "Obviously, it's been bothering me for a little while. Most players have aches and pains through the year. So I'm not shocked with that. It's really showing no improvement. So I think it's a good time to get it right. We will have a cortisone shot tomorrow. We'll take a little time off and hopefully, that will get it squared away."

Utley has just four hits in his last 28 at-bats. The team will call up outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf to replace Utley. Ruf is hitting .235 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 43 games this season for the Phillies.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run to help key a seven-run rally in Tuesday's win over Cincinnati. 

McCutchen went 2 for 3 with a walk. He hit his ninth homer of the year and added his 18th double. 

McCutchen ended a 13-game home run drought. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton blasted his 26th home run of the season in Tuesday night's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals. 

Stanton's home run in the first inning traveled an insane distance of 484 feet. The homer also scored Christian Yelich and gave the Marlins an early 2-0 lead. Stanton finished the game 1 for 3 and also drew a walk. 

Stanton is now hitting .306 over his past 10 games. His slash line for the season is .261/.343/.604. 

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs. 

Turner has played in the past four games and this appears to be a day off. Alberto Callaspo will start in his spot and bat seventh. Callaspo is hitting .293/.383/.366 this season in 19 games and 47 plate appearances.