MLB Player News

Harper went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Giants.

The 28-year-old continues to swing the bat well and has four straight multi-hit games, going 10-for-14 with two homers and four walks during that stretch. Harper has a .357/.493/.625 slash line with four home runs, eight RBI, 13 runs and a 14:13 BB:K through 17 games this season.

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

Pederson has started against two of the three left-handed pitchers that the Cubs have played to begin the year, but he'll sit against southpaw David Peterson on Wednesday. Ian Happ will shift to left field while Jake Marisnick starts in center field.

Ford will start at first base and bat sixth Wednesday against Atlanta.

Prior to Ford's call-up Tuesday, the Yankees had been using DJ LeMahieu as their primary first baseman while Luke Voit (knee) remains on the injured list. That opened up the keystone for Rougned Odor, but his time as an everyday player could be coming to a close in light of his 3-for-24 start to his Yankees career. After going hitless with a walk and an RBI across four plate appearances in Tuesday's 3-1 win, Ford will pick up a second straight start against a right-handed pitcher (Ian Anderson), while Odor heads to the bench.

Lewis, activated from the injured list earlier in the day, went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout while playing all nine innings in center field during a loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

The slugging outfielder's long-awaited season debut came on a night when Lewis was one of only three baserunners for the Mariners. Now apparently over the knee issues that plagued him since late in spring training, Lewis will look to begin building on the expectations he set with a stellar 2020 campaign that was enough to garner the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Rooker will start in right field and bat eighth Wednesday against the Athletics.

He'll be picking up his third consecutive start after playing in both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader loss, going a collective 0-for-6 between the contests. With Max Kepler and Kyle Garlick both on the COVID-19 injured list, Rooker looks like he could end up seeing regular starts in corner outfield in the short term.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though he was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday, Alvarez will remain on the bench for a second straight day since the Astros don't have the designated hitter available in a National League park. Alvarez should serve as the Astros' top option off the bench for pinch-hitting duties Wednesday before re-entering the starting nine in Thursday's series opener against the Angels.

Belt (quadriceps) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Phillies.

Belt exited Tuesday's game due to right quadriceps soreness but is feeling better Wednesday and could be available off the bench if needed. However, Wilmer Flores will start at first base Wednesday, batting sixth.

Belt (quadriceps) is feeling better Wednesday, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt left Tuesday's game against the Phillies due to right quadriceps soreness and is still being examined Wednesday. However, manager Gabe Kapler is hopeful that Belt could be available off the bench for Wednesday's series finale against Philadelphia. If Belt is ultimately held out of the lineup, Wilmer Flores or Darin Ruf could fill in at first base.

Alvarez entered Tuesday's game as a pinch hitter and grounded out to end Houston's 6-2 loss to Colorado.

Alvarez returned to action after missing the last four games while on the COVID-19 protocols list. Since the Astros are playing in a National League city, the DH is not in effect, and he came off the bench. Presumably, he will not start Wednesday's game and resume designated hitter duties when Houston returns home for Thursday's game against the Angels.

Harper went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored in Tuesday's 10-7 loss to the Giants.

Both of Harper's hits went for singles but he continued his hot streak at the plate. He's slashed .692/.765/.1.077 with one home run, three RBI and four runs scored while also posting a 4:1 BB:K over his last four games. He'll look to keep things rolling and help the Phillies avoid the sweep in Wednesday's series finale against Anthony DeSclafani.