MLB Player News

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said he expects Belt (knee) will be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Thursday's series finale in Arizona, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt is ready to return after wrapping up a five-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. The 33-year-old was on the shelf for just over a month with the right knee injury, but he'll likely take over a strong-side platoon role at first base once activated. Darin Ruf and LaMonte Wade could lose out on some at-bats as a result.

Alvarez has been working out at first base, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez "is not yet ready" to start a game there, but if he could provide competent defense there, it would improve the manager's ability to manage the roster. The Astros are currently missing Yuli Gurriel (neck), which leaves them a player short. Additionally, the team could use Alvarez at first base in National League cities.

Jimenez went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Wednesday's 9-1 loss to Kansas City.

Jimenez, who returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing four games with a groin injury, has served as the designated hitter in both games since returning. He's hitless with four strikeouts in eight at-bats in the two games.

Harper went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 9-5 win over the Nationals.

The 28-year-old seems to love nothing more than sticking it to his former club. This year alone, Harper has hit safely in all 13 games he's started against the Nats, going 20-for-48 (.417) with five doubles, five homers, nine RBI and 15 runs. For the season, he's slashing .306/.417/.557 with 17 home runs, 12 steals, 41 RBI and 61 runs through 87 contests.

Soler went 1-for-5 with a solo home run Wednesday in a win over the Cardinals.

Soler's lone hit in the contest was a 432-foot solo blast in the fifth inning. The long ball was his second in as many days. He is still batting a poor .201 on the season, but Soler has been on a hot streak over his past 14 games, slashing .304/.396/.848 with eight homers, 12 runs and 11 RBI.

Ohtani (6-1) allowed one earned run on four hits and no walks while striking out six across six innings to earn the win Wednesday against the Rangers.

Ohtani allowed a leadoff double in the sixth inning, which ultimately led to the only run against him in the outing. After posting a 5.3 BB/9 across his first 60 innings, Ohtani has walked only one batter across his last four starts -- a span of 26 frames. His improved control continued Wednesday, as 59 of his 86 pitches went for strikes and he began 17 of the 22 batters he faced with a strike. Ohtani was also in Wednesday's lineup, though he went 0-for-3 at the plate.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a walk and a run scored in Wednesday's 10-3 win over Baltimore.

The 31-year-old made the Yankees' lead much more comfortable with a three-RBI double in the seventh inning. Stanton has now posted multi-hit efforts in each of the last two games after not doing so for a 12-game stretch between July 21 and Aug. 2. The slugger is slashing .257/.356/.457 with 17 home runs, 53 RBI, 38 runs scored and 12 doubles through 365 plate appearances.

Miller is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.

Before heading to the bench for Tuesday's 5-4 win, Miller had started four consecutive games and went 2-for-17 over that span. He's expected to fill a regular bench role for the Phillies now that Rhys Hoskins has seemingly moved past a groin injury.

Pederson isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Even though Pederson went 2-for-4 with an RBI against left-hander Jon Lester on Tuesday, he'll retreat to the bench with southpaw J.A. Happ taking the mound Wednesday. Guillermo Heredia will start in center field and bat seventh.

Ramirez isn't starting Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Ramirez had started each of the first two games of the series and went 2-for-9 with a double, two RBI, a run and a strikeout. Oscar Mercado will start in left field and bat sixth.