MLB Player News
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Smacks two-run homer
Busch went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 5-0 win over the Angels.
Busch has gone 8-for-25 (.320) with four extra-base hits across his last seven games. His homer provided the Cubs' last runs in the seventh inning of Sunday's win, though he also generated a run despite grounding into a double play in the fifth. The corner infielder is at a .264/.359/.457 slash line with 11 homers, 32 RBI, 40 runs scored and one stolen base across 301 plate appearances this season. Busch isn't strictly limited to a strong-side platoon role, but he'll still sit against some southpaws.
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Matt Olson 1B | ATL
Braves' Matt Olson: Snaps out of power slump
Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Phillies.
Olson took rookie Michael Mercado deep in the second inning to break out of a 14-game homerless drought. It was Olson's second streak of 14 or more games without a homer this season after having only one such streak last season. The 30-year-old entered the game in a 10-for-65 slump with just two extra-base hits and three RBI in his last 18 games, so he'll perhaps now find some positive momentum heading into the All-Star break.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Could be activated Tuesday
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Sunday that Harper (hamstring) is "in play" to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
While Thomson confirmed that Kyle Schwarber (groin) will be back with the big club Tuesday, the skipper was less certain that Harper will be ready to go for the start of the three-game series with the NL West leaders. On a positive note, Harper ran on the field for a second straight day Sunday, with Zolecki relaying that the first baseman appeared to be moving at close to 100 percent intensity. Harper has been on the IL since June 28 with a left hamstring strain, with his absence opening up regular playing time at first base for Kody Clemens against right-handed pitching.
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Rowdy Tellez 1B | TEX
Pirates' Rowdy Tellez: Getting day off against lefty
Tellez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
With lefty Sean Manaea on the hill for the Mets, the lefty-hitting Tellez will hit the bench for the second day in a row. Connor Joe once again checks in for Tellez at first base.
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Christian Walker 1B | HOU
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Delivers two more runs
Walker went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-5 extra-inning win over the Padres.
Walker provided the game-winning knock with a two-run single in the top of the 10th inning. The scorching hot Walker is 15-for-30 with five home runs over the last seven contests and has knocked in 13 runners over the last six. The surge leaves him with 22 home runs (tied for sixth in MLB) and 64 RBI (seventh in the league).
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Connor Joe RF | SEA
Pirates' Connor Joe: Stuck in lengthy slump
Joe went 0-for-3 with a strikeout Saturday against the Mets.
Joe has been limited exclusively to a short-side platoon role at first base since Rowdy Tellez has gotten improved results at the plate, though Joe has also split time with Edward Olivares and Joshua Palacios in right field. Joe will likely continue to lose plate appearances so long as he remains cold at the dish, as he's hit only .176 with one home run, five RBI and seven runs scored since June 1 and across 74 at-bats.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Runs bases with no issues
Manager Rob Thomson said Saturday that Harper (hamstring) had a "good day" running the bases and that the 31-year-old will run the bases again Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Harper has been out with a low-grade hamstring strain since June 27, but he's been progressing well enough to potentially return prior to the All-Star break. He was participating in on-field drills at 70-75 percent intensity earlier this week. Harper becomes eligible to come off the injured list Tuesday.
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Jake Bauers RF | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Idle against LHP
Bauers is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.
Bauers will be on the bench for a third consecutive game, and Saturday's absence is the first against a southpaw in that span. Rhys Hoskins will play first base and bat sixth.
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LaMonte Wade 1B | CHW
Giants' LaMonte Wade: Sitting vs. southpaw Saturday
Wade is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.
Wade went 0-for-3 with one run, one walk and two strikeouts in Friday's 4-2 win over Cleveland. He'll retreat to the bench Saturday against southpaw Logan Allen, with Tyler Fitzgerald starting at first base and batting sixth.
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David Villar 1B | SF
Giants' David Villar: Sent down to Triple-A
The Giants optioned Villar to Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.
Villar went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in his last start Wednesday against Atlanta. The 27-year-old infielder appeared in just six games for the Giants after being recalled June 22, going 5-for-17 with one home run, four RBI and five strikeouts. San Francisco recalled left-hander Kolton Ingram from Double-A Richmond in a corresponding move.