MLB Player News

Harper went 1-for-2 with three walks and an RBI against the Phillies on Tuesday.

Harper saw 27 pitches, and was still able to do damage with an RBI single in the fifth inning despite being pitched around for most of the night. Expect the league's most dangerous hitter to get similar treatment often moving forward, as the difference between his league-leading .844 slugging percentage and second-place Jeremy Hazelbaker's .714 mark is the same as that between Hazelbaker and 19th place.

Cespedes (leg), in his first at-bat in four games, hit a laser to left for a pinch-hit, three-run home run to tie the game for the Mets on Tuesday.

Cespedes is to return to the starting lineup Wednesday and got a jumpstart by getting an at-bat Tuesday, The ball's apex was just 47 feet, which is the second lowest in baseball this year for a home run. After a slow start, Cespedes is up to six home runs and 17 runs batted in.

Brantley is in the lineup Tuesday against the Twins.

Brantley was activated off the disabled list Monday but was held out of the starting lineup, so Tuesday will mark his first start of the season. He lined out as a pinch hitter Monday, but he'll man left field and bat clean up against Ricky Nolasco on Tuesday.

Manager Terry Collins expects Cespedes (leg) to return to the lineup Wednesday, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cespedes will sit out Tuesday for the fourth straight game, but it sounds like that could be the extent of his absence. The Mets' release of their lineup for Wednesday's game figures to ultimately reveal whether Cespedes will return to action or not.

Belt reached base three times via the walk and scored two runs in Monday's win over San Diego.

While an 0-for-1 day at the plate doesn't sound appealing from a fantasy perspective, Belt definitely delivered for those in OBP leagues. He continues to exhibit excellent patience as evidenced by an on-base percentage (.386) over 100 points higher than his batting average (.275). With three homers and 11 RBI to compliment his excellent on-base skills, Belt is on his way to a productive year as long as he can stay healthy.

Goins is not in the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

Goins is 0-for-18 over his last five games, dropping his season average down to .172, so he'll receive his second day off in the last three games. Darwin Barney will take over at the keystone in his stead and bat eighth.

Cespedes (leg) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Tuesday marks the fourth consecutive game that Cespedes has been sidelined for due to a troublesome leg bruise that had to be drained Monday. Juan Lagares will remain as the starting center fielder while Michael Conforto will bat out of the cleanup spot. There is still no word on when Cespedes will be able to get back on the field, but he is listed as day-to-day for the time being.

Harper is back in the lineup Tuesday, batting third against the Phillies.

After receiving his first day off of the season Sunday, Harper will be back in his usual spot in the lineup for the Nationals' series opener against Philadelphia, batting third. The 23-year-old superstar is off to a tremendous start this season, slashing .323//405/.855 with nine home runs and 23 RBI. He'll be facing Philadelphia right-hander Vince Velasquez on Tuesday.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a double, a homer, a walk, and a pair of RBI in Monday's 3-2 win over the Dodgers.

Stanton followed his solo blast in the fourth with an RBI double the next inning, accounting for two of Miami's three runs. The 26-year-old slugger has gone yard in consecutive contests, and is up to five dingers in 17 games. What separates Stanton from most of the other guys off to fast starts in the home run department is that he actually possesses the power to sustain this pace over a full season, health permitting.

Carpenter homered, his third, in Monday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Carpenter finished 2-for-5, his first multi-hit game in his last 10. He's hitting just .239, but the discipline and power have been there. Carpenter's .851 OPS currently ranks fifth among National League first basemen, and he still has room to improve.