MLB Player News

The National League starters for the All-Star Game were announced Sunday, and leading the way after an impressive first half is Nationals slugger Bryce Harper, who racked up nearly 14 million votes to pace the field. 

Harper entered Sunday's game with a .344 average, 25 home runs and 60 RBIs, numbers that have him squarely in the conversation for the Triple Crown. He'll be joined in Cincinnati by players from an array of teams, unlike the AL's Royals-heavy squad. 

Catcher: Buster Posey, Giants
First baseman: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
Second baseman: Dee Gordon, Marlins
Third baseman: Todd Frazier, Reds
Shortstop: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
Outfield: Bryce Harper, Nationals
Outfield: Matt Holliday, Cardinals
Outfield: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins 

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen went 1 for 3 with a walk in Sunday's win over Cleveland. 

McCutchen drove in two runs, giving him 51 on the year. His 22nd double extended his hitting streak to 12 consecutive games. He's hitting .366 over the streak. 

The Cubs activated outfielder Jorge Soler from the disabled list Sunday, reports the Daily Herald.

Soler will hit sixth and play right field in Sunday's game against the Marlins. Soler has been sidelined since June 3 with a sprained left ankle.

To make room for Soler, the team optioned Matt Szczur to Triple-A. Szczur is hitting .211 with one home run and eight RBI in his last 32 games.

The Cubs are set to activate right fielder Jorge Soler from the disabled list on Sunday. Soler has been out since June 3 with a sprained left ankle, but he has made four rehab outings.

Soler struggled though, going 2 for 13 in the four games. But manager Joe Maddon doesn't necessarily buy into those stats.

"I don't worry about that stuff," Maddon said, per MLB.com. "To me, it's a matter of, 'If he's healthy and he's seeing the ball, what does his timing look like?' Those are the kinds of things you're trying to get from the guys down there."

Soler is expected to be in the lineup for the series-finale against the Marlins on Sunday. He was batting .237 (9 for 38) with a homer and five RBI over his last 10 games prior to the injury.

Making his first start in nearly a week, Phillies left fielder Darin Ruf connected for a three-run home run on Saturday against the Braves. It wasn't enough, however, as the Braves would hang on for the 9-5 victory.

Ruf's home run came in the fifth inning, but the Braves were already comfortably ahead 9-1 at the time. It was his only hit of the evening, and his fourth home run of the season--his first since May 17.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mets.

Turner will be replaced by Alberto Callaspo, who will hit seventh in the lineup.

Turner entered Saturday, hitting .300 with six hits, a home run and two RBI over the last five games.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt continued his recent offensive surge during Saturday's loss to the Nationals. 

Belt went 2 for 3 with two doubles and a RBI in the 9-3 loss.

Belt is now hitting .370 with 10 hits, three doubles and six RBI over his last seven games.

Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper continued his offensive tear through the season during Saturday's matchup against the Giants.

Harper went 3 for 4 with a home run, a double and two RBI. Harper hit a two-run blast, his 25th of the season,  in the first inning to set the tone in the 9-3 win. Harper later hit his 19th double of the season.

Harper is hitting .375 with 18 hits, six doubles, four home runs and nine RBI over his last 13 games.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon hit his 11th home run during Friday evening's 4-3 loss to the Diamondbacks. 

Blackmon hit a solo shot to lead the game off in the first inning. Blackmon finished the game 1 for 4. The homer snapped a two-game hitless streak for Blackmon and is the second long ball in his past five games. 

Blackmon is now slashing .269/.344/.442. 

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen crushed his 10th home run of the season in Friday night's 5-2 loss to the Indians. 

McCutchen's homer was a solo shot as he finished the game 1 for 2. McCutchen also drew two walks during the game. McCutchen has now recorded a hit in five consecutive games. For the season, McCutchen is slashing .296/.390/.493.