MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton, on the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring, has not started any baseball-related activities, MLB.com reports.

Stanton strained his right hamstring trying to beat out a swinging bunt attempt against the Cubs on April 30.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf is starting to find his hitting stroke at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. After belting one home run in his first 20 games, Ruf has gone deep three times in his last seven games.

Ruf is also batting .355 (11 for 31) in his last seven games as well, raising his season average to .250. His hot streak began with a two-homer outing April 28. Ruf has nine doubles, 14 runs and 15 RBI in 27 games.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna continues to make a solid impression as he recorded a career-high four hits and reached base five times during Sunday's series finale against the Phillies.

Ozuna doubled in two runs in the first, reached on an infield single in the fourth, singled in another run in the sixth and doubled in the eighth. He also drew a walk and finished 4 for 5 with three runs scored and three RBI in a 14-2 victory.

Ozuna has hit safely in his first six games in the majors -- the second-longest streak to begin a career with the Marlins. He has gone 10 for 23 with a home run and four RBI. His 10 hits over through six games are the most ever by a rookie in franchise history.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was ejected from Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after arguing a called third strike on a check swing to end the top of the first inning. Believing the pitch was a ball, Harper gestured toward third-base umpire John Hirschbeck, who delivered the 20-year-old's second career ejection.

Harper finished the series just 2 for 10 with a strikeout in all three games as his batting average dipped to .312. He has gone eight games without a multi-hit performance -- his longest stretch of the young season.

The Marlins' youth movement appears to have found another solid player, as outfielder Marcell Ozuna has proved himself ready for the majors in his first five games. The 22-year-old has a .389 batting average with at least a hit in each game. Let's take a look at his resume to see if the Marlins have a star in the making.

Ozuna's biggest strength as a prospect has been his power, as he had at least 20 home runs in each of his last three seasons. He is impressing with his plate discipline in his early major-league action, which is the first place where the eyebrows go up. After striking out in at least 21.5 percent of his at plate appearances in his previous four minor-league seasons, Ozuna has struck out in 10.5 percent of his at-bats in the big leagues.

Ozuna is a solid young talent who entered the season as Baseball America's No. 75 prospect, but he is also probably being rushed at the major-league level. He projects as a big-time power hitter down the road, but Ozuna could get exposed after this nice early start.

I would not run out to grab him just yet in yearly Fantasy formats. The Marlins will probably ride him even when he begins to take his lumps because that is what they do. But he remains more of a keeper/dynasty option until we get a bigger sample size. 

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna uncorked his first major-league home run during Saturday's contest against the Phillies.

Ozuna took starter Cole Hamels deep for a solo home run in the second inning. He finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI in a 2-0 victory.

Ozuna has recorded a hit in each of his first five games since his promotion from Double-A Jacksonville. He is hitting .389 (7 for 18) over that span.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen turned in another solid night at the plate Friday against the Nationals. McCutchen collected three hits 3-1 win, including blasting his fourth home run of the year.

He ripped the solo shot off starter Ross Detwiler in the first inning and singled in each of his next two at-bats before grounding out in the seventh.

McCutchen finished 3 for 4 with a run scored and RBI. He has driven in five runs over his last five games.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was able to play through a bruised side Thursday against the Braves, just one day after suffering the injury.

He was in his usual spot in the lineup, in left field and batting third. He went 0 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout in a 3-1 win.

Harper is batting .063 (1 for 14) over his last five games. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, after he was pulled from Wednesday's game due to an injury to his side. Harper was batting third and playing left field.

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter has returned to the leadoff spot. 

Carpenter had been hitting lower in the order lately, but is coming off a three-hit game Wednesday. He's lived up to his sleeper promise, hitting .283/.349/.475 in 99 at-bats this season.