MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was feeling some pain in his surgically repaired left thumb Friday, but that is not a reason to be concern, as manager Matt Williams told ESPN.com.

"[That pain] is to be expected, because he's doing a lot of strength stuff," Williams said. "But he was able to swing today with no issues and drive the ball. So he's right on schedule."

Harper took part in batting and fielding practice for the second straight day Friday, and could go on a minor-league rehab assignment once the team's current home stand ends.

"Once we get on the road, he could head out and get started with that process," Williams said.

Harper could be back in the lineup for the Nationals by the first of July, assuming he avoids any setbacks. 

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner is back in the starting lineup Friday against the Padres for the first time since June 12, as he has recovered from a calf injury. Turner has been limited to pinch-hitting over the last week. 

Matt Williams said that both outfielder Bryce Harper and catcher Wilson Ramos could be on the verge of heading out on rehab assignments.

Williams told the Nationals website that Ramos (hamstring) could embark on his rehab as early as this weekend with Harper (thumb) going out next week.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper expects to play between seven and nine rehab games before returning, according to CSN.

Harper is attempting to come back after thumb surgery. He was able to take batting practice on the field Thursday, and reportedly performed well. Harper was hitting .289 in 83 at-bats prior to his injury.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper took batting practice Thursday, according to The Washington Post.

Harper is recovering from thumb surgery. He reportedly looked good during the session, hitting a ball out to left and almost taking another shot to the upper deck in right. Manager Matt Williams has said he expects Harper back July 1.

As expected, Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton did not miss a beat after leaving the game Wednesday with a wrist injury sustained when he collided with the wall trying to make a play. He is in the lineup for the Thursday night clash against the Mets.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner will not return to the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Turner has been out of the starting lineup since last Thursday, though he's been able to pinch hit three times since that day, including Tuesday night. He'll target the team's weekend series against the Padres to rejoin the starting lineup after dealing with a calf injury this week.

Second baseman Matt Carpenter was pretty much the entire offense for the Cardinals in a Wednesday loss to the Mets.

Carpenter set a tone that his teammates did not follow with a home run leading off the first inning. He doubled and scored in the ninth, but St. Louis fell short.

The big game was the first in a while for Carpenter, who was in a 2-for-22 slide heading into the game.

Mike Redmond indicated that he might have kept Giancarlo Stanton in a tighter game Wednesday despite a wrist contusion, but a four-run deficit motivated him to remove his slugger. Stanton had an unfriendly encounter with the outfield wall in the top of the first, though he showed no ill-effects when he slammed a home run in the bottom of the inning for the Marlins.

"I saw him kind of grimace after his first at-bat but then he hit the home run so I wasn't too concerned," Redmond told the Palm Beach Post. "As the game went along and it continued to get a little sore, at that point, being down 5-1, I just wanted to make sure we got him out of there. We need this guy for the long haul. He wanted to stay in but I'm thinking about tomorrow and the next day."

Stanton is all but set to play Thursday.

The removal of Marlins sizzling slugger Giancarlo Stanton from the game Wednesday with a wrist contusion appears to have been merely precautionary. He is expected to return to the lineup Thursday against the Mets, per the Miami Herald.

Stanton slugged a solo home run in the first inning of the loss to the Cubs. He has three homers in his last six games.