MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton tweaked his right ankle Sunday against the Braves, which might keep him out Monday against the Cubs, according to MLB.com. The injury isn't considered serious.

"Working against me is it's a day game," Stanton said. "We'll see in the morning."

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf homered in Sunday's loss to the Cubs.

Ruf finished 1 for 3 with a walk and the solo blast. He has held his own in 172 at-bats this year, as his line sits at .256/.348/.512 with 21 RBI and 20 walks to go with 12 home runs.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton hit his 18th home run in Saturday's extra-inning loss to Atlanta.

Stanton finished 1 for 3 with two runs scored, two walks and the solo blast. He's hitting .251/.366/.480 in 331 at-bats and has two home runs in his last four games and three in his last 10 -- all three have been solo shots.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was one of three players on his team to collect multiple hits while homering in Thursday's 9-0 win over the Marlins, going 2 for 3 with one walk, one home run, two RBI and three runs.

Harper, who has an 11-game hitting streak currently active, has hit .280/.379/.522 with 19 home runs, 49 RBI and seven stolen bases in 339 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt picked up four hits Tuesday against the Rockies.

Belt hit four singles, finishing the game 4 for 5. He scored two runs, but did not register any RBI. Belt is hitting .279/.354/.478 in 408 at-bats. 

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon replaced an injured Dexter Fowler in the first inning and ended up having a big game for Colorado in a 6-1 win over San Francisco. 

Blackmon hit his fourth home run of the season in the next time up in Fowler's spot in the batting order. He went deep in the third inning off Barry Zito for a solo shot. 

Blackmon finished the game 1 for 3 with two RBI as he added a fielder's choice ground out that scored Todd Helton in the fourth inning. He is now batting .266 for the year. 

The 27-year-old reserve outfielder for the Rockies has hit in three straight games but is just 3 for 11 over that stretch. 

Phillies outfielder/first baseman Darin Ruf was unable to homer for a fourth straight game Sunday against the Diamondbacks, but he did manage at least one RBI for a fourth straight game. Ruf, who has nine August home runs, is batting .320 (8 for 25) with one double, three home runs and six RBI during a five-game hitting streak.

After getting a rest Tuesday, Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter has returned to the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Brewers.

Carpenter will assume the leadoff spot again. He missed Tuesday's game in order to get Kolten Wong and David Freese playing time. Carpenter is hitting .312/.385/.474 in 481 at-bats. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton continued to show signs of waking up Tuesday, as he picked up three hits in a 6-4 loss to the Dodgers. 

Stanton, who extended his hitting streak to a modest seven games in the outing, went 3 for 5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. He is now hitting .215 in the month of August, though his average is .333 in 30 at-bats during his hitting streak. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt made up for some lost time Tuesday, snapping a three-game hitting streak with a three-hit game.

Belt went 3 for 4 while ending up a home run short of the cycle. He had a double and a triple as part of his game, but ended up with no runs drive in or scored in a 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

Belt is hitting .276 on the season, but has been red hot with a .379 average in the month of August.