MLB Player News

Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler hit a solo home run in his major-league debut Wednesday as the Cubs fell to the Reds, 7-5.

Soler went back-to-back with Luis Valbuena, driving a ball over the centerfield fence to cement a memorable debut. He finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner has taken the opportunity and run with it at the plate.

Turner has become an every-day player since mid-August and has hit safely in seven of his last eight games. He has 11 hits in 28 at-bats with seven RBI and five runs scored. His stat line on the season has improved to .316/.387/.442.

A rib ailment that knocked Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen out of the Tuesday night game does not have him sidelined for the Wednesday afternoon game against visiting St. Louis. He is in the lineup.

McCutchen sustained the injury crashing into the wall in the third inning, though he remained in the game for a while. His hitless performance ended a strong stretch in which he slugged seven hits, including three home runs, in the previous four games.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was removed from Tuesday's game due to left rib discomfort, the team announced.

McCutchen crashed into the wall while making a play in the third inning and remained in for a few innings before coming out. He finished 0 for 3 at the plate and will be re-evaluated Wednesday.

If you feel like you've gotten burned with Jon Singleton, Oscar Taveras and Gregory Polanco already (though Polanco, I'd argue, gave you everything you could have wanted for all but his last two weeks on the job), you may be reluctant to take a flier on Jorge Soler, who's supposed to join the Cubs in Cincinnati Tuesday.

But he's worth it, for the reasons I spell out in my latest post to the Fantasy Baseball Today blog and more.

You could argue any prospect of his caliber is worth it, but I want to use this space to emphasize just what caliber of prospect he is. We weren't so sure coming into the season. He spent much of last year injured and tinkering with his swing. But for all the hype Kris Bryant has gotten, Soler actually has a higher batting average and slugging percentage between the same two levels of competition this year. And he heads to the majors on a high note, batting .625 (10 for 16) with three homers in his last four games.

Maybe he makes a big splash in September; maybe he doesn't. But surely this time of year, you'll want to be the one who capitalizes if he does.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton 1 for 3 with two walks and a three-run home run in his team's 7-1 victory over the Angels Monday.

The National League home-run and RBI leader, Stanton is squarely in the middle of the MVP race, and his batting average is threatening to cross the .300 threshold for the first time since the All-Star break. He owns a .299/.407/.566 line with 33 home runs and 97 RBI in 482 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen belted his 20th home run Monday against the Cardinals.

McCutchen struck in the ninth inning. He took a 94 mph fastball from Trevor Rosenthal out to left for a solo shot. McCutchen also singled twice earlier in the contest. He finished 3 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler will be called up Tuesday, according to CSNChicago.

Soler was pulled from Monday's Triple-A game, prompting speculation he would be coming up. Soler went 1 for 2, with a three-run homer during Monday's game. He's hit .278/.376/.593 over 108 at-bats in Triple-A. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been able to resume working out, according to MLB.com.

Belt remains a few weeks away due to a concussion, but has started working out again. He has not started baseball activities yet. Belt has been out since August 6 due to the injury.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper left the yard Sunday afternoon at home against the Giants.

Harper launched a two-run shot in the eighth inning. He finished 2 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 14-6 victory. He owns a .265/.343/.398 slash line with seven homers and 25 RBI in 249 at-bats.