MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a walk, while also scoring twice and stealing his first base of the season Tuesday in San Diego.

Those who drafted McCutchen for his combination of power and speed were surely starting to get a little antsy, but he has quelled any fears with a pair of homers and a steal in the last three games. The 2013 NL MVP swiped just 11 bags in 2015 after getting at least 18 in each of his six previous seasons, but it'd be shocking if he didn't end up breaking double digits once again at age 29.

Harper hit a grand slam, his seventh home run, in Tuesday's win against the Marlins.

The grand slam was his only hit in four at-bats, which lowered his average to .333. More importantly, Harper's power continues to be absolutely ridiculous, as his slugging percentage is up to .867. With seven home runs in 13 games, Harper is on pace for 87 on the year. Take "on pace" numbers with a grain of salt as always, but Harper is as good a bet to challenge records as anybody in baseball these days.

Brantley (shoulder) worked out with the Indians on Tuesday and will continue his rehab at Double-A Akron on Wednesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley still needs to get in consecutive games in order to clear the final hurdle in his rehab but that could come shortly if he doesn't suffer any setbacks.

Belt is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

He will head to the bench for the first time this season with lefty Robbie Ray due up for Arizona. Buster Posey is set to start at first base in Belt's absence, his first start at first this year, as Trevor Brown takes over behind the plate. Belt has hit safely in seven of his last eight games with three home runs over that span, including one against a left-handed pitcher.

Reed homered for the third time in five games during Monday's game against Triple-A Las Vegas.

He's hitting .244/.319/.561 through 10 games, boasting three homers and 11 RBI with a 5:11 BB:K. Thanks to the emergence of Tyler White and the return of Evan Gattis, the Astros don't have a pressing need for Reed at the present time, but Gattis' expected return to occasional catching duties may open up flexibility for at-bats at first base or DH for Reed if he forces his way onto the Astros' 25-man roster in the coming weeks.

Pederson credits mechanical adjustments made this winter with his early-season success, the Dodgers' official site reports.

Pederson is off to a .257/.316/.514 start, including a pair of homers in 12 games. His .14 BB/K is uncharacteristically low compared to last season's 0.54 mark, but we should see that rise considerably over the course of the season. The bigger concern is that Pederson has just three at-bats versus left-hand pitching, though manager Dave Roberts has not called this a strict platoon.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored on Monday against the Nationals.

Stanton is off to a slow start this year, hitting just .238 early on. Although the slugger has three home runs in 42 at-bats, he has no other extra-base hits thus far. Stanton is a career .269 hitter and has prodigious power. His bat should pick up sooner rather than later.

Buxton is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Brewers, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger reports.

Buxton did not start the last three games due to a hand injury, but he was able to log a couple at-bats Sunday off the bench, and is now back in the starting lineup. He will man center field and hit ninth against Brewers starter Chase Anderson.

Ruf is out of the lineup Monday against the Mets, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Ruf returned from a shoulder injury for Sunday's contest, but he'll head back to the bench with right-hander Noah Syndergaard taking the ball for New York. Ryan Howard will man first base and bat cleanup in his stead.

Pederson hit the game-winning two-run home run in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Giants.

The 23-year-old is off to a nice start in his second full season -- he's slashing .257/.316/.514 through the first two weeks. Pederson's numbers at this point are slightly above where they were last year at this time, which is an encouraging sign that the young outfielder is making strides.