MLB Player News

Harper (hand) will start at first base and bat third Thursday against the Dodgers.

Harper suffered a bruised left hand during Tuesday's victory and ended up having to sit out Wednesday's contest, but the 31-year-old slugger is now feeling well enough to return to the field. He went 0-for-4 in his return from a stint on the injured list Tuesday but had slashed .423/.455/.865 with five homers and 12 RBI during a 12-game hitting streak prior to landing on the IL.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo confirmed that Diaz will make another turn through the Arizona rotation Saturday versus the Blue Jays at Chase Field, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Jordan Montgomery (knee), Eduardo Rodriguez (shoulder) and Merrill Kelly (shoulder) are all in the midst of throwing programs and may be on track to return from the injured list within a few weeks after the All-Star break, but their continued absences should clear the way for Diaz to stick around in the big-league rotation for a little while longer. Diaz earned a second turn through the rotation after dazzling in his MLB debut Monday, striking out five while permitting just one run on four hits and one walk in a no-decision against Atlanta. Despite his limited big-league track record, the 23-year-old right-hander shapes up as a decent streaming option this weekend against a weakened Toronto lineup that could be without Bo Bichette (calf).

Ross (back) struck out three over 3.2 scoreless innings in his rehab start Wednesday with Triple-A Nashville. He scattered two hits and one walk in the 46-pitch start.

Ross took the hill on three days' rest for his second minor-league rehab start, after he threw 34 pitches over 2.2 innings in his first rehab outing with High-A Wisconsin this past Saturday. The right-hander recorded his 11 outs in efficient fashion Wednesday and should continue to build up his pitch count over the course of at least two more rehab starts. He could return from the 60-day injured list and return to the Milwaukee rotation shortly after the All-Star break.

Manager Bob Melvin said Thursday that Wade is dealing with tightness in his hamstring, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Wade was left out of the Giants' starting lineup for Thursday's game, and it's now been revealed that his absence is due to problems with his hamstring. Melvin noted that the 30-year-old first baseman will still likely be available for San Francisco's upcoming series versus Minnesota, but the team will take a day-to-day approach with him until the All-Star break.

Bart isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

After launching a grand slam Tuesday, Bart was held hitless in three at-bats during Wednesday's contest, and he'll now receive a breather during Thursday's rubber match. Yasmani Grandal will fill in behind the dish and bat ninth.

Cruz (hamstring) will start at shortstop and bat third Thursday against the Brewers.

Cruz missed two games after making an early exit from Monday's contest due to hamstring soreness, but the issue appears to have subsided Thursday. Since the beginning of July, the 25-year-old has gone 8-for-24 with two homers and five RBI over seven games.

Wade is out of the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

After going 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored during Wednesday's loss, Wade will give way Thursday to Wilmer Flores, who will start at first base and bat seventh.

Iglesias is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals due to an illness, Steve Gelbs of SportsNet New York reports.

Though he had been expected to start Thursday against southpaw MacKenzie Gore, the right-handed-hitting Iglesias apparently felt ill during Wednesday's 6-2 win and required an IV after cramping up following the game. Iglesias is apparently still feeling under the weather Thursday, so the Mets will let him rest in the series finale while Jeff McNeil steps in at second base.

Soler (illness) will serve as San Francisco's designated hitter and bat leadoff Thursday against the Blue Jays, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

An illness caused Soler to sit down for the Giants' last two games, but he seems to be feeling well enough to return to action Thursday. The 32-year-old has been in a bit of a slump recently, going 4-for-28 (.160) with one RBI and nine strikeouts since the beginning of July.

Chapman went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Blue Jays.

Chapman hit one of two homers for the Giants in the ninth inning, but it was too late to generate a comeback. The third baseman has gone deep five times and added 13 RBI over his last 15 contests, a span in which he's batting .298 (17-for-57). For the year, he's up to 13 long balls, 43 RBI, 60 runs scored, 24 doubles, eight stolen bases and a .231/.322/.423 slash line through 90 games.