MLB Player News

Bryce Harper delivered his first career game-ending home run, a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth Thursday that lifted the Nationals to a 9-7 win against the Pirates. Harper drove a hanging slider over the wall just to the left of straightaway center with two outs off Bryan Morris, who earlier allowed a single to Kurt Suzuki.

Harper came through with his 14th homer of the season, a day after sitting out because of a bothersome left knee that landed him on the disabled list recently. He went 3 for 5 with three runs and one double Thursday. Harper is batting .304 (17 for 56) with one triple, one home run, four doubles and six RBI in his last 15 games.

Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Thursday it's unlikely outfielder Marcell Ozuna will return this season. Ozuna is scheduled for thumb surgery Friday.

"I don't have a definitive time frame," Beinfest said, per The Miami Herald. "But it's highly doubtful and improbable that you'll see him again this season. It's a minimum six to eight weeks, and then you have to ramp up from there. So we're going to run out of time this season."

The Marlins announced Thursday outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was demoted to the minors late Monday, was placed on the major-league, 15-day disabled list because of a left thumb ligament tear and avulsion fracture. He will have surgery Friday.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Pirates after getting treatment for his knee Wednesday. Harper is batting .214 (15 for 70) with one home run and six RBI in 19 games since returning from the disabled list July 1.

Some Marlins players are hearing that outfielder Marcell Ozuna has a torn ligament in his left thumb, which would likely lead to a trip to the disabled list instead of to Double-A Jacksonville, the Florida Sun Sentinel reports.

Ozuna has hit .265/.303/.389 with three home runs, 32 RBI and five stolen bases in 275 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received treatment on his knee Tuesday night, according to The Washington Post. 

Harper is not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday. Manager Davey Johnson admitted he would have to check on Harper more often. Harper has played consistently since he returned from the disabled list. He's hitting .264/.368/.505 in 220 at-bats. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is not in the team's starting lineup Wednesday against the Pirates.

Harper will be replaced by Scott Hairston, who will leadoff and play left. Harper has started every day since the All-Star break, and is likely just receiving a day of rest. He's hitting .264/.368/.505 in 220 at-bats. 

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was recently optioned to Double-A Jacksonville, will have his left thumb examined for a possible injury that could land him on the disabled list, the Miami Herald reports. Ozuna hit .162 (11 for 68) through 17 July games before getting sent down. 

The Marlins optioned Derek Dietrich and Marcell Ozuna to Double-A Jacksonville after Monday's win at Colorado, the Palm Beach Post reports. The team will select the contracts of Christian Yelich and Jake Marisnick Tuesday. 

Dietrich, a 24-year-old second baseman, was batting just .214 over 215 at-bats for the Marlins. He had nine homers and 23 RBI with 56 strikeouts. 

The 22-year-old Ozuna, a right fielder, hit .265 over 275 at-bats with three homers and 32 RBI. 

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit two home runs in a 6-5 win at Washington Monday. McCutchen homered in the first and third innings and has 14 HRs.

He went 2 for 5 with two runs scored and four RBI. McCutchen is batting .307. 

The 26-year-old has gone 6 for 14 in his last three games with three homers and five RBI. He has four homers since the All-Star break.