MLB Player News

Harper (wrist) was able to take swings in the batting cage prior to Thursday's 2-0 win over the Brewers, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was held out of the lineup for the entire four-game series with Milwaukee due to his sore left wrist, but his ability to get in some work in the cage offers some hope he'll avoid a trip to the injured list. The Phillies will likely see if he can take batting practice on the field Friday before determining his availability for their series opener in Atlanta later that day.

Choi (knee), playing in his second rehab game for Triple-A Durham, went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in a win over Memphis on Wednesday.

The recovering infielder had gone hitless and contributed a sacrifice fly in Tuesday's rehab debut, so Wednesday represented another step in the right direction. Choi filled the designated hitter role in his second game after starting at first base and playing five innings in the field 24 hours prior.

Harper (wrist) will remain on the bench Thursday against the Brewers, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was hit in the face and wrist by a pitch last Wednesday and has been in the lineup for just one out of eight games since then. The Phillies have still yet to place him on the injured list, however, so there's seemingly still some optimism that he'll be back in the lineup soon. Brad Miller will make another start in right field in his absence.

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

Cabrera will receive the afternoon off on getaway day while he remains mired in an 0-for-27 slump that has dropped his batting average to .098 on the season. The 38-year-old is striking out at a career-worst 32.8 percent clip, and his Statcast-measured .150 expected batting average suggests fantasy managers shouldn't bank on a major turnaround even if his .108 BABIP climbs from its current level.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Tigers.

The Red Sox didn't do much against Casey Mize over six innings, but they were able to get to the bullpen in the seventh, when Martinez delivered a game-tying blast. It was his league-high-tying 10th homer of the season, and his 29 RBI lead the majors. Martinez has hit safely in four of the last five contests, going 8-for-19 with three homers, eight RBI and six runs scored.

Ohtani completed five scoreless innings against Tampa Bay on Wednesday, allowing one hit and six walks while striking out seven. He did not factor in the decision.

The two-way star appeared downright dominant at times against the defending American League champions, racking up 15 swinging strikes and limiting the Rays to only one hit (a single). However, he also threw a wild pitch and walked six batters, pushing his pitch count to 84 and contributing to a somewhat early exit. Ohtani's 2.41 ERA and 37.1 percent strikeout rate through four starts are undoubtedly impressive, but his 1.39 WHIP and 21.0 percent walk rate provide some reason for concern. Still, Ohtani is showing this season that his potential is almost boundless, making him a valuable fantasy asset as both a hitter and a pitcher. His next start on the mound will likely come at Houston near the beginning of next week.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the Nationals.

His third-inning blast off Erick Fedde proved to be the difference in the game. Three of Ozuna's four homers on the year, and nine of his 19 RBI, have come in the last seven games as the veteran slugger climbs out of an early season hole.

Ruf went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run during Wednesday's 6-5 loss to the Rockies.

The 34-year-old didn't start Wednesday's contest, but he entered on a double switch during the fourth inning and ended up receiving three at-bats. Ruf has a .209/.340/.512 slash line with four homers, 12 RBI and nine runs in 53 plate appearances this season.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored during Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants.

The 34-year-old delivered a walkoff, three-run homer during Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader, and he followed up with a bases-loaded single to bring home two runs during the fourth inning Wednesday. Blackmon is off to a slow start this season with a .204/.315/.333 slash line, though he's 10-for-32 over his past nine games.

Winker went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI during Wednesday's 1-0 win over the White Sox.

The 27-year-old had two of the seven total hits in the contest and delivered the only run of the game on a single during the bottom of the 10th inning. Winker has a .359/.422/.641 slash line with six homers, six doubles, 17 RBI and 20 runs through 23 games this season.