MLB Player News

As expected, Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He's day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee after colliding with the outfield wall trying to chase down a fly ball Monday -- a collision that necessitated 11 stitches on his chin and neck.

The Nationals open a series against the Padres in San Diego Thursday, but Harper's availability for that game is unknown.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) was able to play some catch Wednesday but has yet to begin jogging, the Miami Herald reports.

"I'm sure I'll be able to hit way sooner than I'll be able to run," Stanton told the Herald.

Stanton has been out since April 29.

You may not have noticed unless you own him yourself, but the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter has found another gear since the start of May, batting .386 (17 for 44) with four doubles and nine walks. He's the fifth highest-scoring second baseman in Head-to-Head leagues during that stretch and is now the eighth highest-scoring second baseman overall.

This is closer to what I expected from the first-year starter coming out of spring training: a high on-base percentage and enough extra-base power to distinguish him at a weak position. He's not quite as valuable in Rotisserie leagues given his limited home run ability and almost non-existent steals potential, but even in those formats, his quadruple eligibility makes him a definite asset.

If you like what Martin Prado has had to offer in recent years, you should like Carpenter as well.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen homered for the third time in 13 games Tuesday against the Brewers. He had just two home runs in his first 25 games.

McCutchen has broken out since a four-hit performance April 30. He's batting .353 (18 for 51) with a .421 on-base percentage, .549 slugging percentage and .970 OPS in his last 13 games. On top of the three home runs, McCutchen has one double, six walks, seven RBI and eight runs in that span. His batting average has soared from .217 to .266 since April 29.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said during a radio interview Wednesday with 106.7 The Fan outfielder Bryce Harper, who is day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee, will not need further testing. He added he has no idea why Harper was nauseous, but he is still sore.

"There's no concussion, he's feeling better. He'll be ready to go in the next day or so," Rizzo said.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt homered for the second straight game and extended his hitting streak to five games Tuesday at Toronto. He's also managed at least one RBI in four straight games.

Belt is batting .467 (7 for 15) with two home runs, three doubles and six RBI during his hitting streak. 

Belt's hot streak, however, has lasted more than five games. His slash line in his last 20 games is .305/.627/1.024. He also has four doubles, five home runs, eight walks, 10 runs and 15 RBI in that span.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring, has still not been cleared for baseball activities, manager Mike Redmond told the Palm Beach Post Tuesday.

"No baseball activity but he's running in the pool. I just go by what they tell me," Redmond said. "From what I've heard, it's a similar type of strain from what [Casey] Kotchman has. It's taken a while for him. We really don't have a time frame. It just depends on how fast he heals and how fast he feels like he can get back on the field."

Stanton has been sidelined since April 29. He hit .227 with three homers and nine RBI before landing on the DL.

As expected, the Nationals kept outfielder Bryce Harper out of Tuesday's lineup against the Dodgers as he continues to nurse a bruised left shoulder and left knee after colliding with the right-field wall the previous day.

Harper's X-rays come back negative and he is listed as day to day. He is hitting .200 (4 for 20) with a home run and three RBI in his last seven games.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Bryce Harper's X-rays came back negative, and he's being listed as day to day with a bruised left shoulder and left knee, according to The Washington Post. Harper needed 11 stitches to his chin and neck Monday night after slamming into the right-field wall at Dodgers Stadium trying to track down a fly ball.

"Will be sore but fine. Day to day," Rizzo said.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter reached base three times Monday against the Mets. 

Carpenter hit two singles and walked during the game. He scored and drove in two runs. Carpenter is hitting .294/.373/.449 in 136 at-bats. Jon Jay had a brief run in the leadoff spot, but the team has gone back to Carpenter recently, so he should continue to get a lot of at-bats.