MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will not play for Double-A Harrisburg Friday, but he will play Saturday and Sunday before making his return to the Nationals Monday, manager Davey Johnson told the Washington Post Friday.

Harper has been out since May 26 while recovering from a knee injury. He is expected to return to the lineup for Monday's series opener against the Brewers.  

Though I've always thought <player idref= was one of the more underrated prospects in baseball and have made the extra effort to acquire him in dynasty leagues, I don't know that he's the type of prospect you should rush to add off the waiver wire in standard mixed leagues (like Anthony Rendon or Nick Franklin) even now that he's the starting shortstop for the Mariners.

He's not as good as his minor-league numbers would suggest, having benefited from some extremely hitter-friendly environments, but he's one of those scrappy types who tend to get the most out of their tools. Ultimately, I think he has the potential to be another Matt Carpenter (another overlooked prospect), but as he works his way up to that level, I expect his moderate power and speed to make him somewhat fringy.

I rank him 19th among shorstops with the potential to move up. If you've been plodding along with a Brandon Crawford or Zack Cozart type, you should take a flier on Miller's upside, but otherwise, you can wait and see.

Mariners prospect Brad Miller got the call Friday to make his major-league debut. A hot bat in the minors is one thing, but can you trust Brad Miller to make an impact in Fantasy?

Our Scott White said on Friday’s broadcast of Fantasy Baseball Today that he’s not sure Miller is worth rushing out to pick up unless you need a short stop. White added that he still sees potential, as he and Nando Di fino went down a list of infielders who they would or wouldn’t drop for Miller.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Brantley has appeared in seven straight games, starting six. He'll be replaced by Mike Aviles in left. Brantley is hitting .271/.322/.374 in 273 at-bats. 

The Mariners called up infield prospect Brad Miller from Triple-A Tacoma before Friday's game against the Cubs, according to the Tacoma News Tribune. Miller hit .350/.424/.570 with five homers and 27 RBI in 25 games at Triple-A. He is hitting .316 over 67 games between Triple-A Tacoma and Double-A Jackson. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper went 2 for 4 with a walk, triple, two runs and two RBI in the first game of his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg Thursday.

Harper is scheduled to come off the disabled list Monday, but he could rejoin the team this weekend, MASN Sports reports.

"I'll take him whenever he's ready," manager Davey Johnson told reporters Thursday. "I think we just need to talk to him, see how he's feeling. But tomorrow was gonna be (a day off for Harper), then he was gonna go back to playing. So we'll just have to wait and see."

Harper has been out since May 26 with a knee injury.

Cubs general manager Theo Epstein expects outfield prospect Jorge Soler to return in August and make up lost at-bats in the Arizona Fall League, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Soler is out with a stress fracture in his left shin suffered on a foul ball.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper (knee) is expected to play a full game Thursday as he moves his rehab assignment from Class A Potomac to Double-A Harrisburg Thursday, according to The Washington Post. Harper left Wednesday's rehab game after fouling a ball of his right foot, but he's slated to resume his rehab assignment Thursday.

If all goes to plan, Harper will rest Friday before playing again for Harrisburg Saturday. He would then rest again Sunday before returning to the Nationals' lineup Monday.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson confirmed Harper's schedule Thursday.

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler has a stress fracture in his left shin and will be in a walking boot for 4-6 weeks, according to MLB.com. Soler will miss the Futures Game and the Cubs won't say if he is done for the season.

Soler has been sidelined for Class A Daytona since mid-June after fouling a ball off his shin. He had a .281/.467/.810 line in 55 games before getting hurt. He is considered a top-50 prospect by Baseball America (No. 34) and MLB.com (No. 42).

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper homered, but left his second rehab game early after fouling a ball off his foot Wednesday. He was removed as a precaution and is expected to continue his rehab assignment according to schedule, manager Davey Johnson said.

Harper went 1 for 3 with a home run as a designated hitter. He has two hits in his first four at-bats in rehab. He has been out of the Nationals' lineup since May 26 with a knee injury.