MLB Player News

Harper (elbow) is out of the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

Harper was struck on the right elbow by a pitch in the first inning of Tuesday's series opener with Atlanta and was diagnosed with a bruise after X-rays cleared him of any structural damage. Even with the benefit of an extra day of rest due to a rainout Wednesday, Harper will end up missing out on his first start of the season in the front end of a doubleheader. According to Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Harper is "doing better" despite still dealing with some swelling on his elbow, though a decision hasn't been made whether the two-time NL MVP will be play in the second game of the day. Thomson noted that Harper still hasn't tried to swing a bat since suffering the injury, so the Phillies may be inclined to hold him out for both of Thursday's games with the hope that he'll be ready to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Brewers.

The Phillies appointed de Geus from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus Atlanta.

De Geus, whom the Phillies claimed off waivers from the Marlins on April 1, will be making his Philadelphia debut if he gets used out of the bullpen for either game of the twin bill. The right-hander has been sharp at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this season, logging a 0.95 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 14:7 K:BB in 19 innings.

Atlanta recalled Dodd from Triple-A Gwinnett to serve as the 27th man for Thursday's doubleheader versus the Phillies.

Dodd will be available as an option out of the bullpen for both contests of the twin bill but will likely head back to Gwinnett on Friday. After making 20 starts at Gwinnett in 2024, the left-hander has made the full-time transition to a relief role in 2025. Through 18 appearances at Triple-A this season, Dodd owns a 5.00 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 24:3 K:BB in 18 innings.

Marte (oblique) had a follow-up MRI on Tuesday which showed further progress and he received the go-ahead to start rotational activities, MLB.com reports.

The exact nature of those rotational activities were not divulged in the report, but it's safe to assume that means swinging a bat and taking batting practice. He's missed three-plus weeks with the oblique issue and is expected to require a multi-game rehab assignment.

Lux entered Wednesday's game as a pinch hitter for an injured Austin Hays (foot) and went 0-for-1.

Lux remained in the game at designated hitter and should be used to filling in for Hays now. Lux served as the primary left fielder during Hays' two previous stays on the injured list in 2025.

Hays was removed from Wednesday's game after fouling a ball off his foot, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Hays fouled a pitch off his left foot in the sixth inning and was pulled for a pinch hitter two innings later. Gavin Lux entered as the pinch hitter and remained in the game at DH. Hays has already made two trips to the injured list in 2025.

Steer went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Royals.

Steer was the lone Red to convert with runners in scoring position, singling home a run apiece in the sixth and eighth innings. That hasn't always been the case in 2025 for Steer, who has just 17 RBI and a .566 OPS with RISP through 50 games. It was much different for him in 2024, when he recorded 92 RBI and a .996 OPS over 158 contests. On a positive note, five of Steer's 17 RBI this season have come in the last six games.

Stephenson went 3-for-4 in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to Kansas City.

Stephenson recorded his second three-hit effort in the last three games and has hit safely in four of the last five. He's 9-for-22 (.409) with four extra-base hits during that span, which increased his average 70 points from a season-low .173 to .243.

Brasier worked around a hit to log a scoreless inning and earn a hold in a 2-1 win against Colorado on Wednesday.

After starter Matthew Boyd allowed only an unearned run across six strong innings, Brasier worked a clean seventh to pick up his first hold of the season. The veteran righty has rattled off four straight scoreless appearances since returning from the injured list Friday, and he has a stellar 2.08 ERA for the year, albeit in only 4.1 innings due to the time he missed with a strained left groin. Brasier could take on more high-leverage work moving forward if he stays healthy and continues to pitch well.

Rodriguez (shoulder) is expected to start in a game at the Arizona Complex League on Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

Rodriguez is coming off a 55-pitch simulated game last Saturday and will get a chance to build upon that Friday in the ACL. The left-hander could rejoin the Diamondbacks rotation in time for next week's road series in Atlanta, although the team has not confirmed if additional starts (if any) may be required. That will likely be determined following Friday's outing.