MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper says his injured knee hasn't improved yet, but he still hopes to return to baseball activities by the end of the week and return to the team by June 11, CSN Washington reports Sunday. Harper is still dealing with bursitis in his left knee dating back to May 26.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna entered Saturday's game against the Mets with a major-league leading 16-game hitting streak, but it ended as he went 0 for 3. 

Ozuna walked once and scored a run in his first hitless game since May 14. The Marlins won the game, 8-1. 

Ozuna raised his batting average from .300 to 330 during the course of the streak, during which he had six RBI. 

Marlins manager Mike Redmond threw batting practice to outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) prior to Saturday's game against the Mets. Stanton is expected to begin shagging fly balls soon.

"He looked good," Redmond said. "He's getting close as well, which is exciting. Two days ago, I wasn't as excited, just wasn't sure where he was at. But he's pushing himself and he wants to play and he wants to be a part of this team."

The Nationals placed outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-day disabled list as expected, Saturday. Harper's DL stint is retroactive to May 27, as he has not been able to play through bursitis in his left knee. Harper is eligible to come off the DL June 11. 

The team recalled pitcher Erik Davis from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Harper on the roster. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has missed five games with bursitis in his left knee, and The Washington Times reports Saturday the team is likely to place him on the disabled list Saturday.

The Nationals have been hoping to avoid the DL, but Harper was already unlikely to play during their weekend series against the Braves, and he can be placed on the DL retroactive to May 26. 

Miami Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna had three hits and an RBI Friday in a 5-1 win over the Mets, pushing his hitting streak to 16 games -- the majors' longest active mark.

Only Edgar Renteria's 22-game streak in 1996 is longer for a Marlins rookie.

Ozuna is hitting .356 during the streak but has just four doubles, a triple, no home runs and six RBI.

He is hitting .330 with a home run, 11 RBI and has an .829 OPS this season.

Ozuna started the season at Double-A Jacksonville before being called up to make his MLB debut April 30.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is dealing with knee soreness in his recovery from a strained right hamstring but is not planning to let it slow his recovery. Stanton is expected to begin shagging flyballs in the next few days, according to MLB.com.

"I know he wants to play," manager Mike Redmond said Friday. "I know he's been frustrated being down for so long. He knows how important he is to our lineup, to us getting this thing turned around. He's doing everything he can do right now."

Stanton has been out since April 29 and has been limited to light running, batting practice and catch. 

Marlins manager Mike Redmond told the Palm Beach Post that he does not want outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to return until he is completely ready.

Stanton, who was bothered by soreness in his right knee Thursday, took batting practice and shagged fly balls Friday without any setbacks. The Marlins have not released a concrete timetable for his return.

"He has got to feel like he is 100 percent and he can go out there and be able to play for the long haul. We don’t want him coming back if he feels like 'I can only play a couple of days and then I’m going to have to sit and take days off,'" Redmond said.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson told Comcast SportsNet Washington that outfielder Bryce Harper is still hobbling and is unlikely to play this weekend against the Braves.

He has missed the last five games with a knee injury and could become a candidate for the 15-day disabled list. Harper hit .313 (5 for 16) in his last four games before being hurt.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper remains out of the lineup Friday with a knee injury, CSN Washington reports.

Harper hasn't played since May 26 due to bursitis in his left knee. The Nationals still hope he can return to action this weekend.