MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna went 2 for 6 with a three-run home run in his team's 9-7, extra-innings loss to the Dodgers Saturday.

Ozuna's home run cut the Dodgers' lead to 7-6 in the seventh inning before the Marlins tied the game in the ninth. He has hit .289/.339/.465 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 114 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was just 1 for 4 Saturday but hit his eighth home run in his teams' 3-1 win over the Braves.

Belt kicked off the scoring with a second-inning solo home run, and his offense would follow with two more solo home runs in the low-scoring affair. He has hit .252/.291/.495 while striking out 35 times in 111 at-bats.

Rockies center fielder and leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon not only remained torrid at the plate Friday night against the Mets, but he matched his 2013 home run total in the process.

Blackmon slugged his sixth home run in 108 at-bats after doing the same in 246 at-bats last season. He hit a solo blast in the seventh and added two singles in raising his average to .380 and slugging percentage to .630.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen collected three hits Saturday against the Blue Jays.

McCutchen worked an eight-pitch at-bat in the first inning, eventually hitting a double. He would be left stranded at second base. McCutchen singled in a run in his next at-bat, and later singled again in the bottom of the fifth inning. He also stole his fourth base of the year following the hit. 

McCutchen finished the game 3 for 5, with no runs scored and two RBI. He's hitting .309 in 110 at-bats. 

The Dodgers are using the second game of a doubleheader and a game in an American League city Thursday to get little-used players some action.

Scott Van Slyke is set to play in left with Justin Turner starting at short. Hanley Ramirez will be used as the designated hitter. Outfielders Andre Ethier and Carl Crawford are set to sit after playing in the opener.

Marlins Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna extended his hitting streak to six games in a big way Wednesday, as he drove in three runs in a 9-3 win over the Braves.

Ozuna did much of his damage in his first at-bat, as he clubbed a three-run home run to right field to put the Marlins up early. He finished the game 2 for 4 with two strikeouts overall.

Ozuna is off to a strong start in his second season, hitting .310/.364/.480 through his first 100 at-bats. 

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Tuesday outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) has been taking batting practice and is expected to begin playing in extended spring games by the end of the week.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton went 1 for 4 Tuesday but made his only hit count, smacking a two-run home run in his team's 9-0 win over the Braves.

Stanton hasn't had a multihit performance in nine games and only five hits over that stretch but four have been for extra bases, with his last two clearing the fench for home runs. He has hit .269/.345/.567 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 104 at-bats.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said that outfielder Bryce Harper underwent successful thumb surgery Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Harper's return should come in six to eight weeks, with Williams adding, "We're optimistic."

Harper suffered a UCL tear in his thumb during a head-first slide into third base while legging out a triple Saturday. He has hit .289/.352/.422 with one home run and nine RBI in 83 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb Tuesday, ESPN.com reports.

Harper's recovery from the injury is expected to keep him out of action until at least early July. He suffered the injury on a head-first slide into third base Friday. It'sa  big blow to the Nationals, who are four games back in the NL East as of Monday.