MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is entering his fourth season in the majors at just 22 years old. He at times has shown the potential baseball folks have been raving about since he was a teenager, but he's also failed to fully live up to the hype. Although, durability issues have been a contributing problem for Harper, who has missed 106 games the last two seasons due to injuries.

Nationals manager Matt Williams talked Tuesday about what Harper needs to do to take his game to the next level.

"I want to see from Bryce a lot of consistency," Williams said, per MASNsports.com. "He shows that. He shows consistency. He's got the ability to walk. He's a good on-base guy -- traditionally, in his young career, he's been that.

"At the same time, I don't want him to feel pressure to do too much. If he can just be him, then it will be a great year for him. We are working on collectively his pitch recognition at the plate, making sure that we give him all the information we can possibly give him about the opponent. And just let him play. Year 4 is one thing but we have to also understand that he's only 22. He's still young, very young."

Andrew McCutchen returned to the lineup and is hitting third for the Pirates against the Orioles in Grapefruit League play on Tuesday, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. McCutchen was sidelined since March 13 due to lower body soreness. He has two hits in 12 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen will return to the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Manager Clint Hurdle and general manager Neal Huntington have said they fully anticipate McCutchen being ready to play by Opening Day, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

"Andrew is at the point in his career he knows what he needs," Huntington said. "We've continued to make good progress, and we fully expect he'll be ready for Opening Day, barring any setbacks."

McCutchen has been sidelined since March 13 due to lower body soreness and has taken just 12 at-bats this spring. The center fielder is batting third Monday.

All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who has been out of action since March 13 with a lower-body injury is expected to return to action this week, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates "anticipate" McCutchen's return, which would be a welcome sight since the star has just 12 at-bats in five games this spring. 

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said outfielder Andrew McCutchen (lower body) will go through baserunning progression on Sunday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

"He's feeling better," Hurdle said.

McCutchen has been out since March 13. He has taken just 12 at-bats in five games this spring.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said having first baseman Brandon Belt play in the outfield is "currently being discussed" as Hunter Pence is nursing a broken arm and Angel Pagan is dealing with a sore back, per SFGate.com.

“I’m down, for sure. I’m here to do whatever they need me to do,” Belt said. “If they want me to go the outfield, I’m ready to do it. If they want me to go on the mound and pitch, I’m ready to do that.”

Bochy also said Matt Duffy and Adam Duvall could be options to play in the outfield as well.

“We have coverage. It’s going to be up to us to decide which way we’re going to go,” Bochy said. “A lot depends on where we’re at with Angel before I jump to any conclusions.”

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hit his first home run of the spring on Friday. 

In the fourth inning, Harper hit a 1-0 slider to right-center for a solo shot off of Jake Buchanan. Harper went one for two with a walk and lifted his average to .238 for the spring. 

Manager Matt Williams said that Harper had been "jumpy" at the plate earlier in the spring, but he'd settled down during batting practice over the last few days. “He’s calming his lower half down,” Williams said, per the Washington Post's James Wagner. “He gets 40 at-bats and he’ll be right where he needs to be. The BPs are better. He’s getting better results. He’s taking his walks. All those things are positive.

Pirates outfielders Andrew McCutchen (lower body) and Jose Tabata (ankle) both took batting practice Friday and showed no ill effects, per the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. 

McCutchen has missed the last five games with his injury, which has been described as a "mystery ailment," but said he was fine after taking BP.

Tabata took his batting practice while wearing a protective shield on his ankle, after fouling a ball off his foot during Wednesday's game. 

After the Marlins reached a new deal with outfielder Christian Yelich on Thursday, the next domino to fall figures to be CF Marcell Ozuna. But, according to MLB.com, the outfielder is willing to be patient regarding his contract extension. 

Ozuna is scheduled to be arbitration-eligible in 2016, but on the advice of his agent, Scott Boras, he will focus his energy on the field and not his deal.

"[Boras] tells me 'Don't hurry. Be waiting for the moment, and let's see what happens in a couple of years,' " said Ozuna, who hit .269 with 23 home runs and 85 RBIs in his first full MLB season. 

Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson went 3 for 3 from the plate for three RBI in Wednesday's 7-5 loss to the Cubs. 

Pederson hit a home run, a double and a single during the game. That's his second home run and third double of the spring. 

"What I like with Joc right now is that he's staying in the middle of the field more. Early on he was a little bit pull-happy," manager Don Mattingly said, via SB Nation's True Blue LA. "He seems to be getting himself a good pitch to hit and that's the key more than anything."