MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received 11 stitches on his chin and neck but did not suffer a concussion, according to his agent Scott Boras. Harper also jammed his left shoulder when he collided face first with the scoreboard on the right-field wall trying to track down a fly ball off the bat of A.J. Ellis.

Harper stayed on the ground for several minutes but was eventually able to walk off the field under his own power despite having blood running down his chin and neck.

He is scheduled to undergo X-rays but there has been no timetable announced for his return.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was forced to leave Monday's series opener against the Dodgers in the fifth inning after crashing into the scoreboard on the right field wall. Harper was trying to track down a fly ball off the bat of A.J. Ellis and crashed face first into the wall.

Harper was able to walk off the field under his own power despite having blood running down his chin and neck.

He went 1 for 1 with a pair of walks and runs scored prior to leaving the contest.

Giants first basemen Brandon Belt hit his fourth home run Sunday against the Braves. Belt's solo shot came off starter Kris Medlen in the second inning.

He finished 1 for 3 with a walk and two runs in the 5-1 win.

Belt has hit safely in five of the last six games and is batting .333 (6 for 18) with a home run, two doubles and four RBI over that span.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon finished 2 for 4 with a home run during his season debut -- an 8-2 victory over St. Louis Sunday. After being called up earlier in the day to replace Michael Cuddyer, Blackmon batted eighth and had a two-run shot off Cardinals starter Jaime Garcia in the sixth inning -- his first MLB homer since Sept. 26 against the Cubs.

"I like to get guys involved right away when they get here," manager Walt Weiss told MLB.com. "Charlie's been doing a great job. He handles left-handers really well. He's been stringing together a lot of good at-bats down there in Colorado Springs. He runs well. He brings some things. Hopefully he can be something that helps jump-start us."

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 0 for 2 with two walks during his return to the lineup, a 2-1 loss to the Cubs Sunday. He failed to get a hit for the third time in his past four outings, and his batting average dropped below .300 for the first time this season.

Harper was able to end a six-game stretch with at least a strikeout as he drew two walks for the first time since April 11 against the White Sox.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper returned to the starting lineup Sunday against the Cubs following a two-game absence because of a toe issue. Harper, who had an ingrown right toenail removed Friday, has whiffed at least once in the past six games as his average has dipped to a season-low .302.

It was only six weeks ago that Phillies prospect Darin Ruf lost in his bid for a spot on the opening day roster because of his unpredictability in left field. But the 26-year-old slugger, who was drafted as a first baseman, has become more polished at the position for Triple-A Lehigh Valley to beckon praise from within the organization.

"He's been great, and he's getting better," Lehigh Valley manager Dave Brundage told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's good enough right now to play left field. He hasn't been out there that long, and for the strides he has made and the adjustments he has made, he looks so much more comfortable."

In 22 games in left field this season, Ruf has made just one error in 42 chances while also playing eight games at first without a miscue. He has also discovered his groove at the plate, recording four homers and 13 RBI over his past 12 games.

The Rockies have recalled outfielder Charlie Blackmon from Triple-A Colorado Springs after placing Michael Cuddyer on the 15-day disabled list with a bulging disc in his neck.

Blackmon, who had a three-hit game on Friday against Iowa, hit .336 with three homers and 21 RBI through his first 110 at-bats in the minors.

With the Pirates up big and a wet outfield creating risk, Pittsburgh opted to pull outfielder Andrew McCutchen from center field in the fifth inning of their game against the Mets Saturday.

McCutchen went 1 for 2 with a walk, an RBI and two runs scored in the game. He exited with the Pirates leading 9-0, and it does not appear as if there is any sort of injury to be concerned about.

McCutchen is batting .410 over the last 10 games, with two home runs, seven RBI and seven runs.  

After undergoing a procedure to remove an ingrown toenail, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was out for the second game in a row Saturday against the Cubs.

He remains day to day due to the issue, but is not expected to miss much more time.