MLB Player News

Harper (face) underwent a CT scan and said "everything came back good" after leaving Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

The 28-year-old was hit in the face by a 97 mph fastball during the sixth inning Wednesday, and the initial test brought back good news. Harper should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated, and the Phillies seem likely to exercise caution with their star outfielder. The series finale versus St. Louis is Thursday afternoon, and he could be sidelined for at least that game given the quick turnaround.

Stanton went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Orioles.

All three of Stanton's hits were singles. In the third inning, he scored on Gio Urshela's three-run home run. Stanton also scored on an Aaron Hicks sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. The 31-year-old Stanton is slashing .229/.289/.470 with six home runs, 15 RBI and 11 runs scored across 90 plate appearances. He's gone 10-for-26 (.385) during a six-game hitting streak.

Ford went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Orioles.

Ford opened the scoring with a second-inning solo shot off Orioles starter Dean Kremer. The 28-year-old Ford has seen only limited playing time in 2021 with two homers, three RBI and three runs scored in five games. He's only collected three hits and three walks in 21 plate appearances -- good for a mediocre .286 on-base percentage.

Harper was removed Wednesday's game against the Cardinals after being hit by a pitch in the face, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old was bleeding from a cut near his nose after being struck in the face by a 97 mph fastball during the sixth inning, though he was able to leave the field under his own power. He went 0-for-2 before being forced to exit the contest. Harper figures to be evaluated for a concussion and should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status.

Stanton could be deployed as an outfielder, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

It's hard to say how seriously the team is considering this, but the motive would obviously be to be able to get players like Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge some starts at designated hitter while keeping Stanton's bat in the lineup. This would be a nice boon for Stanton's fantasy managers, as it would give them more roster flexibility if Stanton were to play enough in the outfield to add that eligibility.

Alvarez was placed on the injured list Wednesday with no injury designation, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He was held out of Wednesday's lineup against the Mariners for what manager Dusty Baker called "health and safety" reasons, so Alvarez presumably was either exposed to someone with COVID-19 or is showing symptoms, although we can't be sure at this juncture. Taylor Jones was recalled in a corresponding move.

Buxton went 5-for-5 with a solo home run, two doubles a stolen base and an additional run scored during Wednesday's 10-2 win at Cleveland.

The 27-year-old matched Cleveland's hit total by himself and has now homered in back-to-back contests. Buxton is playing like one of the best players in baseball to open 2021 with a .438/.471/.938 slash line, eight homers, eight doubles, two stolen bases, 14 RBI and 14 runs through 17 games.

Pederson (wrist) took batting practice at the Cubs' alternate training site Wednesday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Pederson has made good progress since he was placed on the injured list April 21, and he faced live pitching Wednesday. Manager David Ross said Wednesday that he isn't yet sure how Pederson felt after his hitting session, but the left fielder appears to be trending in the right direction.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Alvarez would be held out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners due to health and safety protocols, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston hasn't formally placed Alvarez on the COVID-19 injured list, so the 23-year-old may just be absent from the lineup as a precaution rather than as the result of a positive COVID-19 test or due to close contact with an infected person. Alvarez previously spent a week on the COVID-19 IL earlier this month, missing five games as a result. Baker said that Michael Brantley would handle designated-hitter duties Wednesday with Alvarez out.

Stanton went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in a victory over Baltimore on Tuesday.

Stanton accounted for the final run of the contest with a 434-foot shot to center field in the seventh inning. The blast was his sixth this season and upped his RBI total to 15. The slugger leads MLB with a 98.3 mph average exit velocity, though he is batting only .205 thus far.