MLB Player News

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 8-7 win over the Brewers.

The Pirates' two greybeards carried the offense on the night, as the 36-year-old Cutch and the 37-year-old Carlos Santana combined for six of the team's 11 hits, five of its six extra-base hits and drove in five of Pittsburgh's eight runs. McCutchen closed out June on a massive heater, going 14-for-29 (.483) over a seven-game hitting streak. Friday's long ball off Freddy Peralta was his first since June 14 and his 10th of the season.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a three-run home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 8-1 rout of the Orioles.

It was one of the most complete performances of the season for the 29-year-old, who last stole a base May 24. Buxton hasn't been able to deliver consistent production this season, but he's at least beginning to find his power stroke again -- over his last 10 games, he's batting .242 (8-for-33) with seven of the hits (three doubles and four homers) going for extra bases.

Morel went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 10-1 win over Cleveland.

Morel narrowly missed a three-run homer in the fourth, which ended up being a sacrifice fly to left field, but he crushed a no-doubter to center in the sixth, tying him with Patrick Wisdom (wrist) for the team lead with 14 long balls. Since an 0-for-21 stretch, the 24-year-old appears to have found his groove again and is slashing 297/.329/.594 with five home runs, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored over his last 17 games.

Texas activated Miller (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Miller is back to fill a bench role for the Rangers after missing three weeks because of a right oblique strain. The 33-year-old utilityman has slashed just .208/.304/.333 in 22 major-league games (56 plate appearances) this season.

Ford is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Rays.

Ford will take a seat as Seattle faces off with left-hander Shane McClanahan. Tom Murphy will take over at designated hitter and bat sixth in the series opener with Tampa Bay.

Lewis was called up from Triple-A Reno on Friday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Lewis will return to the majors for the first time since early April after posting a .308/.402/.548 slash line with six homers over 26 games with Reno. The 28-year-old will look to maintain that success in the big leagues, and he'll replace Pavin Smith on the major-league roster after the latter was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the Pirates.

Winker has slowly begun to turn things around, going 4-for-11 with two RBI and a run scored during Milwaukee's last series against the Mets. He'll get a breather for Friday's series opener while Christian Yelich steps in as the Brewers' DH, moving Blake Perkins into left field. Raimel Tapia will start in right while batting ninth.

Blackmon (hand) said Friday that he expects to wear a cast for two more weeks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon had indicated a couple weeks ago that he thought he could beat his initial timetable of a late July return, but it now it doesn't sound like that will happen. The veteran suffered a fractured right hand in mid-June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Friday that Harper could see action at first base before the All-Star break, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper has been limited to DH duties following a swifter than expected return in early May from Tommy John surgery, but he's been getting pregame reps at first base and is about ready to make his defensive debut at the position. The two-time NL MVP has never made a start at first base at any level of pro ball, but if he's able to handle the assignment it will greatly help Thomson's game-to-game lineup construction, and the additional eligibility would be a welcome boost to Harper's fantasy profile.

Belt is not in the lineup Friday versus the Red Sox.

Alejandro Kirk will fill the DH role and bat fifth as the Blue Jays face off against left-hander James Paxton. Belt has gone 3-for-18 (.167) with zero extra-base hit in very limited action this year against southpaws.