MLB Player News

Choi went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Orioles on Thursday.

Choi closed the Rays' deficit to a run with his 376-foot shot to left off David Hess in the third inning. The 27-year-old has shown some pop this season during his time with the Brewers and in Tampa, with eight of his 18 hits going for extra bases. He continues to rotate with C.J. Cron at first base and designated hitter, with his playing time consistent enough to warrant him a degree of consideration in all season-long formats and as an affordable DFS play.

Harper (lower leg) is batting fourth and starting in center field against the Cubs on Friday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper was scratched from Thursday's lineup as he dealt with a swollen lower right leg from a hit by pitch Wednesday, although he was available to come of the bench, if needed. The 25-year-old underwent X-rays -- which came back negative -- and should be no worse for wear in Chicago this weekend.

Reyes went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Thursday's win over Milwaukee.

Reyes tacked on an insurance run in the ninth to cap off a six-run inning for San Diego. He's collected a base knock in each of his previous four games, going 9-for-15 with two doubles, three homers and five RBI over that stretch. Through 42 tilts in 2018, Reyes is hitting .269 with an .853 OPS.

Belt (knee) ran the bases Thursday, Amy Gutierrez of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt is still on schedule to return from the disabled list early next week during San Francisco's three-game series with the Dodgers. He's been on the shelf since July 26 with a bone bruise on his knee, but it shouldn't be long until he's back in the starting nine, barring any setbacks.

Pederson is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rockies, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As per usual, Pederson will head to the bench with a lefty (Tyler Anderson) getting the ball for the opposition. Enrique Hernandez will start in center field and hit sixth in his stead.

Harper (leg) will be available to pinch-hit off the bench during Thursday's game against Atlanta, Byron Kerr of MASN Sports reports.

Manager Dave Martinez said Harper's knee and shin area is "pretty swollen" but that an X-ray came back clean. It wouldn't be surprising to see Harper remain on the bench for Thursday's series finale, but he will likely be back in the starting nine Friday in Chicago when the Nationals face the Cubs in another afternoon matinee.

Harper was scratched from Thursday's lineup after getting hit by a pitch on his leg during Wednesday's contest.

Per Jamal Collier of MLB.com, Harper was a little sore following Wednesday's affair, though he did remain in the game after the incident. The outfielder should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's matinee against the Cubs. In his absence, Michael Taylor was added to the lineup in center field.

Jimenez (illness) went 1-for-2 with a solo homer before Wednesday's game against Triple-A Syracuse was suspended due to inclement weather.

Jimenez, who hadn't played since Saturday due to an illness, made a splash in his first game back, swatting his ninth homer of the season for the Knights -- and his fourth in the last nine games. The 21-year-old phenom is now hitting a healthy .378 in 30 games since being promoted to Triple-A and is inching closer to earning a promotion to the majors.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Braves.

It was his third homer in the last seven games and 28th of the season, as Harper continues to turn around a disappointing campaign. He's hitting .339 (21-for-62) since the All-Star break with five home runs and 17 RBI in 18 games.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a grand slam, a walk and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the White Sox.

Stanton broke open the game with his sixth career grand slam, turning a tie game into a 6-2 Yankees lead in the eventual four-run win. The reigning NL MVP has gone deep in consecutive contests to give him 27 homers on the year, and he ranks fifth in the American League with 73 RBI.