MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is expected to begin his rehab assignment this week, according to The Washington Post. 

Harper took batting practice Sunday, and his knee responded well. He's planning on working out at Nationals Park Monday and Tuesday, and could head to Class A Potomac Wednesday. Harper is hitting .287/.386/.587 in 150 at-bats. 

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter continued his barrage on major-league pitching Sunday.

Carpenter performed well on a national stage, hitting his sixth home run. Carpenter also added a single and a walk. He finished 2 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI. He's on a short hot streak, collecting nine hits over his last five games. Carpenter has raised his slash line to .322/.403/.472 in 286 at-bats. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) will work out in Washington Monday and Tuesday, according to The Washington Times. He won't start a rehab assignment until Wednesday at the earliest.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen is getting his first day off in nearly two weeks, as he is not in the team's starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

McCutchen has started 72 of his team's 75 games in center field, and he has played a complete game in each of the team's 12 games over the last 12 days. He should be right back in the lineup after Monday's off day.

After going 0 for 5 in Saturday's game against Minnesota, Cleveland manager Terry Francona kept outfielder Michael Brantley on the bench Sunday for the Indians. 

Brantley dropped his average down to .271 in his last last game. In fact, he's gone just 4 for 30 (.133) over his last eight contests for the Tribe. He does have two homers and six RBI over that span, however. 

Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter went 2 for 4 against the Rangers Saturday, earning his 10th multi-hit performance of June and his 30th multi-hit game of the season. The barrage of hits has given Carpenter a .318/.399/.459 line with five home runs and 26 RBI in 283 at-bats.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen broke a June homerless drought Saturday against the Angels, going 1 for 5 with his eighth home run of the season. He had failed to homer in 71 at-bats this month heading into Saturday's action.

McCutchen has hit .288/.357/.453 with eight home runs, 37 RBI, 48 runs and 15 stolen bases in 278 at-bats.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning Saturday against the Cubs, bringing his team back from a 3-0 deficit in what would be a 4-3 win.

Martinez's home run was his second in June. He is hitting .251 in 191 at-bats.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has never been one to dial back his intensity, but he told the Washington Post Saturday he is not planning to push himself too hard in his recovery from a knee injury. 

Harper has already tried to play through the case of bursitis in his left knee, and he plans to take his time in his return from the injury this time. Harper may not begin his minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday. 

"I want to take as much time and take as many days as I can," Harper said. "I don't want to just rush into things. If I play Wednesday or Thursday, that's great. If I don't, I'm not going to. If it takes five days, it's going to take five days. If it takes two, then it's going to take two. If it takes more than that, that's how it’s going to be."

Harper's manager, Davey Johnson, had a bit of a different take, however, telling reporters that he will ultimately decide Harper's timeline. 

"I'll have a conversation with him about that," Johnson said. "When a player starts playing, it's really up to me, what I think they need. It's not up to the player. I'm always trying to do what’s best for the player. But at the same time, it's my job to know when they’re ready and when they’re not."

Harper took grounders in the outfield and took flyballs over his shoulder Saturday, and he plans to take batting practice Sunday for the first time. 

Washington outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) is not expected to begin a rehab assignment until Wednesday at the earliest, The Washington Times reports Saturday. 

The Nationals' young outfielder was on track to begin the rehab Tuesday, but said that was probably over-optimistic. He wants to ensure he's 100 percent ready to go. Harper is expected to play in 6-7 rehab games before returning to the Nationals.