MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup, due to tightness in his left quad. This is an injury he has been fighting through over the last few days, and will likely just get some time off to let it heal. He is day to day moving forward.  

Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said Wednesday outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) has begun baseball activities and pitcher Ethan Martin (shoulder) is throwing bullpens. Both could begin rehab assignments soon.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna went 4 for 5 with three runs and one RBI in his team's 11-2 win over the Nationals Tuesday.

Ozuna jumped out to a hot start this season, but Tuesday's four-hit performance was his first multihit effort since April 3. He has hit .327/.362/.473 with two home runs and five RBI in 55 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton turned in a big performance in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals, going 2 for 5 with a walk, a double, a home run and five RBI.

Stanton kicked off the scoring with a three-run home run off Washington starter Stephen Strasburg in the first inning and stayed strong throughout. He's hit .317/.368/.635 with five home runs, 21 RBI and two stolen bases in 63 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper made it into the starting lineup Tuesday at Miami after leaving Monday's game due to tightness in his quadriceps. Harper carries a seven-game hitting streak into Tuesday, batting .520 (13 for 25) with one triple, one home run, three doubles and five RBI in that span.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna returned to the starting lineup Tuesday vs. Washington after sitting out Monday's game with a foot injury. After batting .467 (7 for 15) in his first four games, Ozuna is batting .200 (7 for 35) in his last nine games.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was removed from Monday's 9-2 win over the Marlins due to quad tightness, masnsports.com reports.

The injury is expected to be minor for Harper, who went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple in the win. He has hit .348/.412/.522 with one home run and five RBI in 46 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna was held out of the starting lineup Monday against the Nationals after fouling a baseball off the top of his left foot Sunday. Ozuna said he feels good and is hoping to miss just one game, per MLB.com.

"He fouled that ball off his foot. He ended up being on crutches after the game," manager Mike Redmond said. "He will get a day off, and we’ll see if he is available to pinch-hit. He is out there, and he’s going to go through baseball activities, and we’ll see how he feels and if he is available for the game (Monday). I anticipate him to be ok for a pinch-hit, but we’ll see."

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton tried to kickstart the team's flagging offense by himself Saturday, in a 5-4 loss to the Phillies.

Stanton drove in three of the team's runs, on a pair of longballs. He hit a long solo home run in the fifth inning followed up by a two-run homer in the seventh, eventually finishing the game 3 for 5 with two runs scored.

Stanton leads the National league in RBI with 13 through 12 games,  thanks to four home runs. He is hitting .314/.364/.608 through 51 at-bats. 

Pirates star center fielder Andrew McCutchen has recovered enough from a left ankle injury to land a spot in the Saturday lineup against Milwaukee. He left the Friday night game with discomfort in the ankle.

McCutchen is hitless in his last 11 at-bats, dropping his average on the season to .194. He has no home runs and just three RBI.