MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Class A San Jose Thursday, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Belt is targeting July 4 as a return date from thumb surgery, which has kept him out since early May. He has hit .264/.317/.504 with nine home runs and 18 RBI in 129 at-bats.

Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson left Tuesday's game for Triple-A Albuquerque in the first inning with an apparent shoulder injury, reports the Los Angeles Times. Pederson was injured diving for a ball in the outfield.

The highly touted prospect entered play Tuesday batting .320 with a .438 on-base percentage, .570 slugging percentage and 1.008 OPS in 73 games. He also had three triples, 11 doubles, 17 home runs, 42 RBI, 58 runs and 20 stolen bases.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is unsure about playing all three outfield spots during his rehab, according to The Washington Post. 

"I kind of like it and I kind of don’t," Harper said. "I want to get comfortable in one spot." Harper is expected to receive time at all three positions in order to give him more versatility once he returns to the majors. While Harper said staying in one spot would be ideal, he admitted that he understands why he needs to get time at each spot. "Being able to play left, play center, play right is something I need down here," Harper said.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5 with two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases in his team's 8-1 win over the Rays Monday.

McCutchen stole second base off Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb after a first-inning single, and turned the same trick in the third inning after another single. He added one more single and his second RBI of the game in the ninth inning. McCutchen has hit .317/.424/.525 with 11 home runs, 45 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 284 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper began a rehab assignment with Class A Potomac Monday, singling and drawing a walk in two plate appearances while playing three innings in left field.

Harper is scheduled to play five innings Tuesday before taking Wednesday off. He is expected to see time at all three outfield positions during his rehab assignment. Harper has been sidelined since late April while recovering from thumb surgery.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said Monday that he remains on target to return from the disabled list on July 4, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Out since May 9 while recovering from thumb surgery, Belt is hoping to begin a rehab assignment within the next week. He has been able to take grounders and batting practice over the last few days. Belt has hit .264/.317/.504 with nine home runs and 18 RBI in 129 at-bats.

Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) will play three innings in his first rehab game with Class A Potomac Monday. He will then progress to five innings Tuesday before resting Wednesday.

Harper could then play three consecutive games after Wednesday's off-day. Williams added Harper is expected to see time at all three outfield positions on his rehab assignment.

With Bryce Harper getting closer to returning from a thumb injury, Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Ryan Zimmerman will be returning to third base upon Harper's activation off the disabled list and Anthony Rendon will move to second base, per MLB.com.

Although Zimmerman is happy to oblige his manager, he said Sunday he prefers to stay in left field and have Rendon continue to play at third base.

"Going out to left field, gave us the best chance to win. It’s a good problem to have. Too many good players and not enough spots," Zimmerman said. "I’ll see what happens. I’m pretty comfortable in left and I think Anthony is a hell of a third baseman. I think there is no doubt right now he is better over there than me. But you have to have your best players in the lineup somehow. Whatever [manager] Matt [Williams] needs me to do, that’s what I’ll do."

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is taking ground balls Sunday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Belt is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon. He's attempting to come back after thumb surgery. Belt was hitting .264, with nine home runs, prior to the injury.

Cubs prospect Jorge Soler, who has been out of action for Double-A Tennessee since late May due to a hamstring injury, began a rehab assignment with the Arizona League (rookie) Cubs Saturday. Soler went 3 for 5 with one run, two doubles, two RBI and two strikeouts.