MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-1 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 13-12 loss to the Nationals.

The veteran enjoyed a brief yet immensely impactful afternoon, pinch hitting for Archie Bradley to give the Phillies a 9-5 lead in the fifth inning. McCutchen has struggled with a .225 average this season, but he has hit .315 with 18 RBI in his last 17 games. While the 34-year-old's best offensive days are behind him, he remains a decent contributor and is unlikely to cede the starting left field job this season.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs and two walks in Wednesday's 13-12 loss to the Nationals.

It was the second consecutive day with a homer for Harper, who has hit .289 with three homers, seven RBI and six walks since returning from the injured list June 5. Though he hasn't quite re-established his dominance from the beginning of the season, Harper has still been one of his team's most consistent offensive players, and that the home runs are starting to come bodes well for him going forward.

Belt's departure from Wednesday's game against the Angels was due to a right knee injury, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The veteran will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the nature and severity of the injury. Darin Ruf figures to get the majority of the reps at first base during Belt's absence, however long that may be.

Belt was removed from Wednesday's game against the Angels after injuring his leg in the eighth inning, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt appeared to have suffered the injury while rounding third on a throwing error. The play resulted in his being thrown out at home. Though he was able to walk off under his own power, Belt struggled down the dugout steps. Darin Ruf entered the game to play first base.

Canha isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Canha was quite productive in Tuesday's win over Texas, as he went 3-for-5 with a triple, two runs, two RBI, a walk and two strikeouts. Seth Brown, Skye Bolt and Ramon Laureano will start in the outfield from left to right.

Ohtani will bat second in Wednesday's game against the Giants, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani is serving as the starting pitcher in Wednesday's matchup, and the Angels will forgo the designated hitter, even with Justin Upton (back) out of the lineup. The two-way player has been hot at the plate recently, as he's hit .280 with six home runs, nine RBI, six runs, a stolen base and five walks across his last seven games as a hitter.

Vogelbach (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Vogelbach exited Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks with a hamstring strain, and manager Craig Counsell called the injury "significant." Keston Hiura was recalled by Milwaukee in a corresponding move and should serve as the primary first baseman in Vogelbach's absence. A better idea of the 28-year-old's return timetable could be known once the results of his MRI are revealed.

Canha went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Tuesday's 13-6 win over the Rangers.

Canha was a big contributor in Oakland's breakout as the only player to reach base four times. He singled in the third frame to knock in a pair of runs. In addition, he tripled to lead off the second inning. The 32-year-old is slashing .257/.379/.455 with a team-leading 55 runs and has seven hits over his last five games.

Miller will start at second base and bat fifth Wednesday against the Nationals.

For the second game in a row, Miller will draw the start at second base against a right-handed starting pitcher (Erick Fedde). Miller's usage would seem to signal that he's the Phillies' preferred option at the keystone versus right-handed pitching, leaving the righty-hitting Luke Williams in line to handle a short-side platoon role at the position.

McCutchen isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

McCutchen will get a rare day off after he went 0-for-6 with a walk and a strikeout across the last two games. Travis Jankowski will take over in left field and bat seventh.