MLB Player News

The Phillies could activate Harper (thumb) from the 60-day injured list Thursday or Friday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

When Harper was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the expectation was that he would remain in the minors through the weekend while working to regain his timing at the plate following a two-month layoff from game action. However, he's looked more than ready to rejoin the Phillies based on how he's performed in his first two games at Lehigh Valley, as he's produced four extra-base hits (two home runs and two doubles) while striking out just once in 10 plate appearances. Since the Phillies have already seemed to rule out the possibility of Harper playing the outfield this season after he recently ended his throwing program when he experienced soreness in his sprained right elbow, the 29-year-old likely won't get much benefit from playing full games in the minors now that he's seemingly already dialed in at the plate. His potential return in the next day or two would provide a major lift for a Phillies squad that currently has a hold on one of the National League's three available wild-card spots.

Morel isn't starting Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Morel is resting after he hit .300 with a homer, a double, three runs and two RBI over the last seven games. Rafael Ortega will start in center field and bat sixth.

Belt was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation Wednesday.

Belt has been bothered by his knee issue for most of the year, and he was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers after the injury flared up. He was slated to miss a second consecutive game Wednesday and will ultimately be held out for at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with inflammation. J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores should see additional playing time at first base in Belt's absence, while Bryce Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Blackmon isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers.

Blackmon is getting a breather after he went 6-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run over the last three games. Randal Grichuk will shift to right field while Wynton Bernard starts in center.

Belt (knee) isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Belt was scratched from Tuesday's lineup after a knee injury flared up, and he'll be held out of the starting nine for a second consecutive game. There's some concern that the issue could impact him for the remainder of his career, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. However, it's not yet clear whether he'll require an IL stint. Whether he's available off the bench Wednesday remains to be seen, but Wilmer Flores will shift to first base while Tommy La Stella serves as the designated hitter.

Madris is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Madris sat out two of the past three games when the Pirates faced southpaws, but he'll be on the bench Wednesday with a right-hander (Kyle Wright) taking the hill for Atlanta. Madris still appears to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role at the position, as manager Derek Shelton likely just wanted to give the lightly-used Josh VanMeter some work in the series finale. VanMeter hadn't appeared in a game for the Pirates since Aug. 16.

Meneses went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners.

Meneses accounted for the Nationals' runs with a seventh-inning solo shot before he scored on a Lane Thomas single in the ninth. The homer was Meneses' sixth of the year, but his first since Aug. 13. The 30-year-old has been productive in his first taste of major-league action, slashing .329/.356/.614 with eight RBI, 12 runs scored and two doubles through his first 18 contests. With Luke Voit back from a back injury, Meneses' playing time is likely to primarily be in right field going forward.

Turner is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game versus Milwaukee.

Turner is 6-for-16 with a home run, four RBI, two runs and two stolen bases over the past four games and will receive Tuesday off. Trayce Thompson will bat ninth as the designated hitter against Brewers righty Corbin Burnes.

Madris is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Madris will head to the bench with southpaw Max Fried on the bump for Atlanta. Platoon mate Michael Chavis steps in for Madris at first base.

Belt was removed from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Detroit after experiencing a flareup of a knee injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants don't view the knee issue as a major concern, and Belt will be considered day-to-day for the time being. With Belt on the bench Tuesday, Wilmer Flores will cover first base and Thairo Estrada will enter the starting nine to play second base.