MLB Player News

Harper (elbow) could return at designated hitter for the Phillies as soon as the first weekend of May, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Harper will be examined by Dr. Neal ElAttrache -- who performed his Tommy John surgery last November -- in Los Angeles while the Phillies are there for a series against the Dodgers at the beginning of May. The team is prepared to have Harper skip a rehab assignment, so he could return shortly after the doctor visit if he gets the green light. "If we get clearance from the doctor, then we'll see when he can start DHing," manager Rob Thomson said Thursday. "But it shouldn't be too far after that." Harper played catch Thursday and has been working out at first base with the thought that he might be able to play that position sooner than right field. He's likely to be a DH only for a while though, and he is currently able to swing a bat without restrictions. The last potential hurdle to being able to DH is full-intensity slides, including dives back into first base on a pickoff attempt, because his reconstructed elbow is still at risk of rupturing. Harper returning in early May or shortly after would mean making it back less than six months after surgery and more than two months before the initial All-Star break timeline the Phillies established the day of the operation.

Carpenter went 1-for-1 with a solo homer, a walk and two runs scored in Thursday's 7-5 win over the Diamondbacks.

The former Cardinal and Yankee turned in a quality performance before being subbed out for Nelson Cruz. Carpenter still has some work to do to become a reliable fantasy option, as he's slashing just .167/.348/.361 through Thursday's games. He continues to serve as the strong side of a DH platoon with Cruz.

Harper (elbow) made throws from 60 feet Thursday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper also took batting practice and incorporated the pitch clock for the first time. One of his BP homers nearly hit the screen displaying the count well beyond the center field fence at Citizens Bank Park. There's still no exact timetable, but Harper continues to push toward a swift return from Tommy John surgery. Word from Phillies manager Rob Thomson is that the 30-year-old slugger will be allowed to skip a minor-league rehab assignment and jump right back in as the team's everyday DH whenever doctors clear him for live action. He's been getting reps at first base in recent workouts, though that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be immediately be seeing game reps at the position.

Blackmon is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Phillies.

Elehuris Montero is batting sixth as the designated hitter against the Phillies and left-hander Matt Strahm. Ryan McMahon will handle third base and hit third.

Canha went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Dodgers.

The 34-year-old began the game on the bench, but after Starling Marte (neck) was forced to exit, Canha took over in left field in the bottom of the sixth inning and wound up providing a key two-run double in the top of the ninth. After a slow start to the season, he's batting .265 (9-for-34) over his last 10 games with a homer, both his steals on the year, four runs and four RBI.

Buxton is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

Buxton is in the middle of a 1-for-19 rut at the dish, so he'll get a day off to regroup. Jose Miranda is at the designated hitter spot Thursday, while Willi Castro is covering Miranda's usual spot at third base.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said prior to Wednesday's game against the Cubs that Rooker is dealing with a hamstring contusion and is unlikely to be available off the bench, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Kotsay had previously described Rooker's removal from Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Chicago as precautionary, but the fact that the 28-year-old isn't available off the bench for the series finale suggests that the Athletics have slightly more concern than they initially let on. The Athletics have a well-timed off day Thursday, so the club will wait and see how Rooker responds to the two-day respite before deciding on his status for Friday's series opener in Texas.

Rooker (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Rooker was removed from Tuesday's 4-0 loss for what the Athletics described as precautionary purposes, but he'll take a seat for the series finale nonetheless. Carlos Perez will operate as the designated hitter while Rooker sits.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Choi (Achilles) is expected to be sidelined eight weeks before resuming baseball activities, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Choi originally tweaked his left Achilles during spring training and tried unsuccessfully to play through it, eventually landed on the injured list this past weekend after being diagnosed with a muscle strain. He won't need surgery at this time but will require plenty of rest and rehab. Even after he's cleared to resume baseball activities, Choi will likely need at least a couple weeks to get his timing back at the plate in minor-league rehab games.

Carpenter is starting at designated hitter and batting fifth for the Padres in Wednesday's game versus the Braves, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

It's the second straight start for Carpenter after Nelson Cruz served as the DH for four of the previous five contests. Carpenter will still probably get most of the starts against righties for now, but he'll need to pick up his .152 average because Cruz has out-produced him so far by a wide margin.