MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton turned in a big performance in Tuesday's 11-2 win over the Nationals, going 2 for 5 with a walk, a double, a home run and five RBI.

Stanton kicked off the scoring with a three-run home run off Washington starter Stephen Strasburg in the first inning and stayed strong throughout. He's hit .317/.368/.635 with five home runs, 21 RBI and two stolen bases in 63 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper made it into the starting lineup Tuesday at Miami after leaving Monday's game due to tightness in his quadriceps. Harper carries a seven-game hitting streak into Tuesday, batting .520 (13 for 25) with one triple, one home run, three doubles and five RBI in that span.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna returned to the starting lineup Tuesday vs. Washington after sitting out Monday's game with a foot injury. After batting .467 (7 for 15) in his first four games, Ozuna is batting .200 (7 for 35) in his last nine games.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was removed from Monday's 9-2 win over the Marlins due to quad tightness, masnsports.com reports.

The injury is expected to be minor for Harper, who went 3 for 4 with two doubles and a triple in the win. He has hit .348/.412/.522 with one home run and five RBI in 46 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna was held out of the starting lineup Monday against the Nationals after fouling a baseball off the top of his left foot Sunday. Ozuna said he feels good and is hoping to miss just one game, per MLB.com.

"He fouled that ball off his foot. He ended up being on crutches after the game," manager Mike Redmond said. "He will get a day off, and we’ll see if he is available to pinch-hit. He is out there, and he’s going to go through baseball activities, and we’ll see how he feels and if he is available for the game (Monday). I anticipate him to be ok for a pinch-hit, but we’ll see."

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton tried to kickstart the team's flagging offense by himself Saturday, in a 5-4 loss to the Phillies.

Stanton drove in three of the team's runs, on a pair of longballs. He hit a long solo home run in the fifth inning followed up by a two-run homer in the seventh, eventually finishing the game 3 for 5 with two runs scored.

Stanton leads the National league in RBI with 13 through 12 games,  thanks to four home runs. He is hitting .314/.364/.608 through 51 at-bats. 

Pirates star center fielder Andrew McCutchen has recovered enough from a left ankle injury to land a spot in the Saturday lineup against Milwaukee. He left the Friday night game with discomfort in the ankle.

McCutchen is hitless in his last 11 at-bats, dropping his average on the season to .194. He has no home runs and just three RBI.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Belt is tied for the league lead with five home runs, and he's played every inning of the season at first base for the Giants. He's just 2 for 13 over his last three games. Belt has hit .292/.306/.625 in 48 at-bats.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter went 1 for 3 with one RBI and two walks in his team's 6-3 loss to the Cubs Friday.

Carpenter has been an on-base machine over the first part of the season, drawing nine walks and being hit by a pitch once while leading off in each of his team's first 10 games. He has hit .286/.435/.371 with one home run and four RBI in 35 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen left Friday's game against the Brewers late, after lining out to third in the eighth inning. Afterwards, the team announced McCutchen left with "discomfort in his left ankle."

McCutchen was hitless in three at-bats, with one walk and a pair of stolen bases before the injury, and it is not clear exactly when it occurred. His status moving forward is not yet known, with the Pirates set to take on the Brewers yet again Saturday.