MLB Player News

Harper (illness) is starting in center field and batting third against the Brewers on Friday, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Harper was held out of Wednesday's lineup due to a minor illness, though he was able to enter the game as a pinch hitter. As expected, he will be back in the starting nine for the beginning of a three-game set versus Milwaukee. During 27 games in August, he's slashed .337/.409/.582 with five home runs and 20 RBI.

McCutchen will not be available for Friday's game against Detroit after being traded to the Yankees earlier in the day, Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports.

This shouldn't come as a major surprise considering McCutchen is flying across the country from the West Coast to join his new team in New York. Look for him to be ready for action Saturday.

McCutchen was dealt to the Yankees on Friday for Abiatal Avelino and Juan De Paula, Jon Heyman of Fancred reports.

As expected, McCutchen will head to New York after the two clubs finalized a deal that was set in motion Thursday night. Per Joel Sherman of The New York Post, the Giants will pay for half of McCutchen's remaining salary of $2.4 million, though the Yankees would've remained under the luxury tax threshold regardless. With Aaron Judge (wrist) still sidelined indefinitely, McCutchen will step into a regular role in the lineup as Giancarlo Stanton is expected to see more time at DH in order to rest his lingering hamstring issue. On the year, McCutchen has slashed .255/.357/.415 with 15 home runs, 55 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 130 games.

Ozuna (shoulder) took batting practice in the indoor cage Thursday and remains on track to be activated from the disabled list this weekend, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Manager Mike Shildt added that Ozuna felt "really really good" about the session, which represents his latest step toward a return. The veteran outfielder has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation since Aug. 22, but it appears the cortisone shot he took several days ago has had its intended effect.

Reyes went 2-for-2 with a solo home run Thursday against the Rockies.

Reyes came off the bench in the 11th inning to play right field, though his biggest contribution was his walk-off blast in the 13th inning. He has gotten significant playing time -- Thursday ended his streak of nine consecutive starts -- and he has taken advantage by smacking six home runs in August. He now has 12 total home runs on the season and a .506 slugging percentage through 166 at-bats, leaving little doubt that he has plenty of power upside.

Martinez went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run Thursday against the White Sox.

Martinez took Thyago Vieira deep in the ninth inning to record his 39th home run of the season. The long ball pulled him into a tie for the most homers in baseball, deadlocking him with Khris Davis. At this point, he's all but guaranteed to post his second consecutive 40-homer season and he's producing in an elite way in every statistic besides stolen bases.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a double, a two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Tigers.

Stanton recorded his 300th career home run in the third inning as he put the Yankees ahead early. Prior to Thursday's matchup, he'd gone 10 games (38 at-bats) without a homer. Stanton is slashing .277/.351/.525 with an .876 OPS through 133 games this season.

McCutchen is expected to be traded from the Giants to the Yankees in exchange for two minor-league prospects, although the deal has yet to be finalized, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The trade hasn't been made official, but both teams are nearing an agreement. The Giants owe McCutchen around $2.5 million yet this season, so the Yankees would have to be willing to absorb the remainder of his contract.

McCutchen was traded from the Giants to the Yankees on Thursday in exchange for two minor-league prospects, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

McCutchen figures to bolster New York's outfield, as he'll likely draw starts in right field until Aaron Judge (wrist) is healthy enough to return from the disabled list. It's currently unclear who the Yankees had to give up in exchange for the 31-year-old outfielder, but Abigail Avelino is believed to be one of the pieces involved in the deal, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani (elbow) will start Sunday against the Astros, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Ohtani has been limited to just hitting after suffering a UCL sprain in early June, but the two-way star has been cleared to make his return to the rotation after checking out OK following a 50-pitch simulated game earlier in the week. The 24-year-old will likely be on a pitch count Sunday as the Angels figure to handle him with extreme caution down the stretch. Prior to suffering the injury, Ohtani compiled a solid 3.10 ERA and 61:20 K:BB across nine starts (49.1 innings).