MLB Player News

Harper (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper is expected to appear in Triple-A games through Saturday before resting Sunday. If he feels good throughout his rehab assignment, it's possible that he'll be cleared to rejoin the Phillies as early as Aug. 29, when the team begins a three-game series in Arizona. Before he underwent surgery on his left thumb in late June, Harper hadn't made a start in the outfield since April 16 while recovering from a UCL sprain in his right elbow. He had his throwing program shut down earlier this month after experiencing renewed soreness in his elbow, so he's expected to serve exclusively as a designated hitter for the Phillies when he eventually comes off the 60-day injured list.

Atlanta designated Goins for assignment Monday.

As anticipated, Goins' stay on the 40-man roster was a brief one, as he lost his spot Monday with Atlanta bringing back Ehire Adrianza (illness) from the 10-day injured list. While serving as a utility man during his six-day stint with Atlanta, the 34-year-old Goins didn't see any game action.

Canha went 3-for-5 with two homers and five RBI in Sunday's 10-9 win over the Phillies.

Canha came up clutch for the Mets on Sunday; he belted a game-tying, three-run shot in the seventh inning followed by a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth. After opening the month in a 4-for-25 (.160) skid, the 33-year-old has gone 11-for-25 (.440) with nine RBI over his last eight games. Canha's season slash line is up .275/.374/.410 with 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBI.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored in Sunday's extra-innings loss against the Giants.

Blackmon notched two singles, his first in the eighth to score Ryan McMahon to move the game to 6-4. He then recorded another base knock in the 10th, which also scored McMahon and tied the game at eight, after which he was removed for a pinch runner. Blackmon has a modest five-game hitting streak and is slashing .266/.317/.436 on the season.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

With southpaw Kyle Freeland on the bump for Colorado, the lefty-hitting Pederson will bow out of the lineup for the series finale at Coors Field. Thairo Estrada replaces Pederson in left field.

Madris is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

With lefty Mike Minor taking the hill, the lefty-hitting Madris will give way to the righty-hitting Michael Chavis at first base. Madris had started in each of the past five games, going 2-for-14 with a walk and two runs.

Belt is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rockies, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Belt will sit with lefty Kyle Freeland on the mound. J.D. Davis takes over at first base and will hit third.

Ozuna is starting in left field and hitting eighth in Sunday's game against the Astros, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Ozuna had been out of the lineup for six consecutive games in favor of Robbie Grossman and Eddie Rosario. Ozuna was also arrested for driving under the influence Friday. However, Rosario will take a seat Sunday, giving Ozuna a starting opportunity.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run in Saturday's 7-0 win over the Marlins.

Turner was one of three Dodgers with multiple hits in the contest, and his third-inning blast to left field accounted for the team's final three runs of the contest. The long ball was the first for the veteran since July 7, a span of 18 games. Turner has hit 20-plus homers in four of his past six campaigns, but he's at only nine this season and will need a big push down the stretch to reach that mark again.

Blackmon (hamstring) is back in action for Saturday's contest against the Giants.

Blackmon missed Friday after he left Thursday's loss to St. Louis early with a hamstring injury. Since the start of August, he's put up an OPS of .503 over 60 plate appearances with eight RBI and a stolen base.