MLB Player News

Harper (knee) is starting in center field and batting fourth against the Reds on Sunday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper exited Saturday's game after being hit by a pitch on the knee cap and was unsure of his availability for the series finale. The 25-year-old is apparently feeling fine after the scary moment Saturday, and he has four hits -- including a double and a home run -- and three walks through 13 plate appearances in the series thus far.

McCutchen went 5-for-5 with a home run, double and two RBI in the Giants' 9-3 loss to the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

McCutchen provided a jolt for San Francisco out of the leadoff spot, but with his hit total nearly matching the output (six) from the rest of his teammates combined, the Giants weren't able to take advantage of his constant presence on the bases. The 31-year-old is now slashing .278/.375/.500 with three home runs, six RBI and five runs in 14 games since the All-Star break.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run scored in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Red Sox.

Four of the slugger's last five hits have gone for extra bases (three doubles and a homer), and Stanton now sports a .279/.342/.513 slash line on the year. He's already cranked at least 25 home runs for the fifth straight season and the seventh time in total, and he needs just eight more homers to reach 300 for his career.

Ozuna has been dealing with tendinitis and inflammation in his right shoulder since last season, which has led to more clubs taking chances against him on the basepaths, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

The outfielder has been receiving treatment on his shoulder daily, and he's tried to be selective about when he uncorks throws at maximum effort so as to try and nurse the joint throughout the duration of the season. While he's managed to avoid missing time, a number of metrics indicate that his arm strength has been on a steady decline since 2015. The 77.9 mph average velocity he sports on his throws this season rank him last among 58 qualifying outfielders (minimum 75 throws), and his overall peak velocity is down as well. Despite the issues, the Cardinals currently have no plans to shut him down for any prolonged period, even as the deterioration he's experiencing may also be at least partly responsible for the overall decline in his power numbers. Ozuna recently also dealt with a toe issue that caused an early exit from Thursday's game versus the Rockies, but he's gone 1-for-9 with a double, a walk and a run while starting Friday and Saturday versus the Pirates.

Harper was hit on his kneecap Saturday and said he's unsure if he'll be in the lineup Sunday, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports.

Harper was hit by a pitch on the knee in the sixth inning and stayed in the game to run the bases before he was replaced by Adam Eaton in the top of the seventh. The Nationals and Reds play early Sunday afternoon at 1:35 PM.

Brantley went 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI on Saturday against the Angels.

Brantley reached base three times to continue his productive weekend series against the Angels. He has an RBI in each game and has reached base four times in nine plate appearances. Though his power has slipped as the season has progressed, Brantley should bat close to .300 and still has the opportunity to drive in and score 80 runs.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Pederson is among the three regular lefties who will sit out the contest, with opposing starter Lance McCullers owning better splits against southpaws than righties. He should return to the starting nine for the series finale Sunday.

Canha was scratched Saturday due to an illness, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The seriousness of the sickness is not yet clear. Ramon Laureano will start in his place and could be in line to start again if he remains out Sunday.

Canha was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Tigers for an undisclosed reason, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

If Canha is battling an injury, reports should soon make that clear. Ramon Laureano will be the new center fielder.

Carpenter welcomed Chris Archer to the National League by homering on the third pitch of Friday's game against the Pirates. He went 2-for-4 with a double, the home run, and two walks in the loss.

Carpenter's bat appears incapable of cooling off at this point, as he's started August off on the same heater he's been on for the last two months. The veteran infielder is 4-for-10 with a double, Friday's homer and corresponding RBI, five walks and three runs over the first three games of the new month. That follows a July in which he parlayed 31 hits into 21 RBI, largely on the strength of 11 round trippers. Carpenter's 27 homers on the season comfortably pace the field on the Cardinals and rank eighth in the majors.