MLB Player News

The Dodgers "haven't flat out said no" to trading one of their top three prospects for a player, as long as that player isn't due to be a free agent after the season, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Previous reports have said that outfielder Joc Pederson, third baseman Corey Seager and pitcher Julio Urias were off the table in trade talks, but that only applies to a rental like Jon Lester. The Phillies and Rays may be able to get the Dodgers to part with at least one of the team's top prospects in a deal for Cole Hamels or David Price, respectively, though neither trade has been reported to be in the works.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt increased his baseball-related activities Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

Belt, who is recovering from a concussion, has been sidelined since July 19, but he could make his way back into the lineup at some point in the team's weekend series. The team has yet to decide whether he'll need a rehab assignment before returning.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt took some swings Tuesday after passing his concussion test the previous day, the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt could be cleared for game action this weekend, either on a rehab assignment or back with the Giants. He has been out since July 19 while recovering from his injury.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt passed his concussion test Monday, according to the Mercury News.

Belt said he feels good, and is hoping to begin baseball activities soon. He's been sidelined since July 19 due to the injury. Belt is hitting .242/.304/.455 over 165 at-bats. There's still no timetable for his return.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is still dealing with concussion-like symptoms, according to CSN.

Belt will be examined by a specialist Sunday afternoon. There's no timetable for his recovery at this time. Belt was hitting .242/.304/.455 over 165 at-bats prior to the injury.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters that first baseman Brandon Belt is making progress and is "feeling much better" in his recovery from post-concussion symptoms, according to the Bay Area News Group on Friday.

Belt has yet to be cleared to begin physical activities. He owns owns a .242/.304/.455 slash line with 10 homers and 23 RBI in 165 at-bats before the injury. 

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler has played all of 22 games above Class A, which would suggest he's still a ways from reaching the big leagues. And yet what he did in those 22 games got him promoted from Double- to Triple-A, which would suggest he's on the fast track.

As I pointed out in this week's Prospects Report, it would make sense. Soler is unique from most other prospects in that he's already signed to a long-term deal. The Cubs are paying him the same through 2020 no matter when he arrives or what he does, so they only hurt themselves by holding him back. Certainly, they want him ready, but a .415 batting average and 1.355 OPS at Double-A, if only in 22 games, is a pretty good indication he is.

If he keeps it up at Triple-A, the Cubs might decide to cash in on all the money they're paying him and run him out there for the last six weeks or so. And given his experience from Cuba, it wouldn't necessarily be a case of him just getting his feet wet.

Granted, a lot has to go right for all that to happen, but it's a likely enough scenario for you to take a flier on Soler if you don't like what you see on waivers.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was cleared to fly with the team back to San Francisco following the conclusion of their series in Philadelphia Thursday, CSNBayArea.com reports.

Belt is recovering from a concussion, and has still not been cleared to begin physical activities. He has spent most of the team's series in Philadelphia stuck in the team's hotel, and remains without a timeline at this point.  

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard was out of the lineup for the second game in a row Thursday against the Giants in favor of Darin Ruf, and manager Ryan Sandberg told MLB.com this might become a recurring theme.

"The way I see things," Sandberg said. "I basically wanted to give Ruf two days in a row, just to get his feet wet, see him against a right-handed pitcher, then go from there. But in all likelihood, at least after today it will be a scenario of ... I'd be considering a platoon system at first base."

Howard was actually out of the lineup against a right-handed pitcher Thursday, but Sandberg said he wanted to give Darin Ruf two consecutive starts after his callup. The Phillies face two left-handed pitchers during a three-game series against the Diamondbacks beginning Friday, so Sandberg may also get him some time off then.

Howard is struggling against both right and left-handed pitchers this season, but has 10 of his 15 home runs against righties. He is hitting .229/.314/.368 against righties, compared to .209/.275/.407 vs. the opposite hand. 

The Giants are growing more concerned with first baseman Brandon Belt, who wasn't feeling much better Wednesday and had to be sent back to the hotel, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area reports.

Belt is scheduled to undergo further tests in San Franicsco as he continues to deal with a concussion. He has ben sidelined since Saturday.