MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is hitting second Thursday.

Harper's spot in the batting order has been the topic of discussion in Washington thus far. In the first two games, Harper batted lower in the lineup, which caused a bit of a stir. For game three, he's penciled into the two-spot. He's also able to play in his second consecutive game after taking a knee to the head Monday. Harper will take on Mets pitcher Zack Wheeler. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton belted his first home run of the season Wednesday against the Rockies. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Stanton took a 92 mph heater from Jordan Lyles out to the opposite field for a two-run blast. He finished the game strong, walking in the eighth, and hitting a RBI single in the ninth. Stanton finished 2 for 4, with 3 RBI during the game. He's gotten off to a nice start, collecting four hits in his first three games this season.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is on the field for pregame warmups Wednesday, meaning that he likely passed concussion-symptom testing during batting practice, Comcast SportsNet Washington reports.

Harper was closely monitored by the team during batting practice after getting into a collision running the bases in Monday's debut. He passes two concussion tests Monday and appears to be fine moving forward.

The Giants' Brandon Belt was one of my preseason breakout picks, so I wouldn't dare discount what he's already accomplished this season, hitting two home runs in two games. I'm especially encouraged by the one he hit off left-hander Wade Miley Tuesday considering he hit only three off lefties last season.

But the real test will come when he returns home to AT&T Park, where he hit only six of his 17 home runs last season. We already know he can slug it on the road. With the technology available to us in these modern times, we can surmise that only one of his two home runs so far in 2014 would have left AT&T Park, the other thwarted by that dastardly gap in right-center field.

Of course, in his last 200 at-bats, both home and away, Belt has nine home runs, which would put him on pace for more than 25 over a full season. And 25 for a player capable of hitting .300 is a big deal in and of itself. I mean, that's Freddie Freeman territory, provided he's playing every day.

So in a roundabout way, I guess I'm saying I'm encouraged by Belt's strong start, but I don't consider it validation just yet. Then again, I wouldn't be shy about acquiring him if the right offer came along. The floor for him seems pretty high.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt showcased some rare power against a left-handed pitcher Tuesday, in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Belt took Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley deep for a three-run home run in the first inning, his second long ball of the season. Belt finished the game 2 for 4 with one run and three RBI, while striking out twice.

Belt has been a pretty all-or-nothing hitter through the first two games of the season, going 5 for 9 with two home runs and four strikeouts. He is looking to build off a breakout season that saw him hit .289/.360/.481 with 17 home runs in 509 at-bats. 

While Giants first baseman Brandon Belt performed well batting second Monday against the Diamondbacks, manager Bruce Bochy told MLB Network Radio he won't bat Belt second when a left-handed starter is on the hill.

"Against a left-handed pitcher, like (Tuesday vs. Wade Miley), Hunter Pence will hit second and Belt will go down in the five- or six-hole. That's the plan until we get Marco Scutaro back."

It appears Rockies manager Walt Weiss has a plan to rotate his options in center field to start the season.

After Charlie Blackmon drew the start in center during Monday's season opener, Drew Stubbs was in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Marlins, despite a right-handed pitcher being on the hill. Corey Dickerson, who is also in the mix in center field, did not make an appearance in Monday's season opener.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt hit second in Monday's season opener against the Diamondbacks for just the fourth time in his career, but it looked as though Belt had been hitting in that spot for years. The first baseman went 3 for 5 with a solo home run and three runs scored.

Belt connected for his first home run of the season leading off the sixth inning against Brandon McCarthy. Belt didn't get his first home run last season until his 19th game.

Marlins center fielder Marcell Ozuna went 3 for 4 with one double, one home run and three runs in his team's 10-1 win over the Rockies in Monday's regular-season opener.

Ozuna won the center field competition over Jake Marisnick this spring and, for one game at least, made the coaching staff look very wise for opting to go with him. He struck out 21 times this spring while hitting .177/.284/.355 in 62 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper passed a concussion test after a baserunning collision in the second inning and another one after Monday's 9-7 win over the Mets, the Washington Post reports.

Harper appears to have avoided injury after taking a shot to the face while sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play. He ended up playing the entire game, going 1 for 4 with a walk and striking out twice.