MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and a walk Saturday against the Brewers.

McCutchen finally connected for his first homer of the season in the fifth inning to give the Pirates an insurance run in a winning effort. After a slow start, he's now posted extra-base hits in three of his last four contests while also hitting safely in four straight games.

Miller broke out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with a double, home run, three RBI and a run in the 7-2 victory over the White Sox on Saturday.

Prior to Saturday, Miller was 2-for-28 (.071) with one extra-base hit on the season. Although he did still receive two at-bats Friday, Miller didn't start that night, so maybe that allowed him a little breather to clear his head. The Rays could certainly use more offense, as they rank 14th in the American League in runs scored.

Ruf is in the lineup Saturday, batting fifth and making his first start in left field.

Ruf had been slowed by a shoulder injury coming into the weekend, but he was able to come on as a pinch-hitter Friday and will be back in the lineup Saturday. He'll have the tough task of facing Washington's ace, Max Scherzer, on Saturday, but he's had moderate success in a limited sample against him, going 2-for-6 with a double and two strikeouts.

Buxton (hand) took batting practice prior to Saturday's game, but he is not yet ready to get back into the Twins' lineup, the Star Tribune's Phil Miller reports.

Manager Paul Molitor said Buxton's hand is a little better after getting hit by a pitch in Thursday's game, but the Twins are taking a cautious approach with the return of their top prospect. Adding insult to injury, the Twins signed David Murphy to a minor league contract this week, and the expectation is that if Buxton doesn't improve his approach, he could be ticketed for Triple-A Rochester in the near future to try to get in rhythm at the plate, with Murphy taking his spot on the 25-man roster.

Buxton is not in the lineup Saturday against the Angels, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Buxton was hit on the hand by a pitch Thursday and will remain out of the lineup for the second straight game. He was hoping to be available as a pinch hitter and/or runner Friday, but did not enter the game. Buxton could be available in the same capacity Saturday.

Cespedes went 3-for-5 with a double and two-run homer in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Indians.

The veteran slugger has started to come on after a modest start to the season, hitting .421 with two home runs and five RBI over his last five games. That stretch includes three multi-hit games and has improved his line to .286/.359/.486 on the season.

Ozuna was 3-for-5 with a double and run scored in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Braves.

Hitting in the two-hole, the four-year veteran put forth his best performance of the new season. The one blemish was when Ozuna couldn't deliver in a clutch eighth-inning RBI opportunity, as he struck out with two outs and the bases loaded. Friday's effort marked the 25-year-old's second multi-hit game of 2016, as he continues to find his way at the plate in the early going. Despite the three hits Friday, he's slashing a lackluster .229/.250/.371 over the first eight games.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer for Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Like last year, Vogelbach is off to a fast start, as he's slashing .387/.441/.548 with nine RBI in 31 at-bats for Iowa. Also like last year, he's limited to where he can play and blocked in the majors. No one doubts he can hit, but it seems his ultimate destination will be in the American League, where he can regularly be the designated hitter.

Ruf (shoulder) was used as a pinch hitter in Friday's game. He went 0-for-1.

Ruf had been sidelined with a sore left shoulder. He will be in the starting lineup Sunday when the Phillies face lefty Gio Gonzalez.

Harper was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI as Washington thumped the Phillies on Friday night.

He got off to a relatively slow start, but has caught fire recently, raising his average to .313 with four long ones, and now totaling 11 RBI on the year. Harper is the furthest thing from a secret - when he's hot, the league can only hope to contain him, and that is never easy.