MLB Player News

Blackmon's early exit in Thursday's 13-0 loss to the Cardinals is being attributed to a hamstring injury, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Blackmon appeared to tweak his hamstring while running out an infield single in his lone plate appearance of the day in the top of the first inning. He played defense in the bottom of the inning before he was ultimately replaced by Wynton Bernard in right field an inning later. After the game, manager Bud Black told Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post that he believes Blackmon will be OK in a couple of days, so Blackmon is seemingly on track to avoid a trip to the injured list but doubtful to return to the lineup for Friday's series opener with the Giants.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach will bow out of starting nine with Atlanta bringing southpaw Max Fried to the hill. Platoon mate Darin Ruf will replace Vogelbach in the lineup, starting at first base and batting fifth.

The Phillies transferred Harper (thumb) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Thursday.

Harper isn't dealing with any setback in his recovery from the surgery he underwent in late June for his fractured left thumb, but since his return isn't imminent the Phillies opted to move him to the 60-day IL to open up a 40-man roster spot for waiver pickup Bradley Zimmer. Though Harper recently had his throwing program shut down and appears unlikely to be ready to play the outfield again this season while recovering from a torn ligament in his right elbow, he's still on track to rejoin the Phillies as a full-time designated hitter, likely on or around Sept. 1. He's scheduled to take another round of batting practice at some point this weekend, and if all goes well, he could head out on a minor-league rehab assignment as soon as next Tuesday.

Blackmon was removed from Thursday's game against the Cardinals with an apparent leg injury, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon appeared to tweak something while running out an infield hit during his lone plate appearance, and he was replaced in the field after remaining in the game for one more inning. The 36-year-old should be considered day-to-day until more information is available.

Canha went 2-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 9-7 win over Atlanta.

Canha reached base three times in four plate appearances Wednesday, including via his 13th and 14th doubles of the season. Canha has garnered regular playing time despite New York's offseason additions and the fact he came into the night with a .212/.357/.273 slash line in August.

Beer was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Beer was recalled by Arizona at the start of August but will return to the minors after going 4-for-30 in 11 games. Overall, the 25-year-old has a .189/.278/.243 slash line with one home run and nine RBI in 126 plate appearances in the majors this season.

McCutchen isn't starting Wednesday against the Dodgers.

McCutchen is getting a rare day off after he hit .222 with two doubles, five runs, two RBI, two walks and six strikeouts over the last seven games. Keston Hiura will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Ozuna remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Ozuna finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row, all of which have come against right-handed pitching. With Atlanta making more room of late at designated hitter for William Contreras and Eddie Rosario and in left field for Rosario and Robbie Grossman, the righty-hitting Ozuna looks like he might have to settle for a short-side platoon role, at best. Ozuna's declining playing time comes while he's slashed an ugly .184/.192/.329 with a 32.1 percent strikeout rate in 19 games since the All-Star break.

Harper (thumb) took a round of batting practice Wednesday and will do so again later this week before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Interim manager Rob Thomson said that if Harper's surgically repaired left thumb checks out fine following the two rounds of BP, the reigning National League MVP will likely report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to resume game action. Before landing on the IL on June 26, Harper had been serving exclusively as a designated hitter for Philadelphia since mid-April due to a torn ligament in his right elbow. Despite having ample time off to heal, Harper doesn't look on track to play the outfield again in 2022, as he had his throwing program tabled earlier this month when he experienced some stiffness in the elbow. The playoff-hopeful Phillies would still obviously welcome Harper back in an offense-only role, and though an official timeline for his return hasn't been established, club officials told Lauber that the 29-year-old is expected to be activated on or around Sept. 1 if he remains free of setbacks over the next couple of weeks.

Morel isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

Morel started the last three games but went just 1-for-9 with a solo homer, a walk and six strikeouts. Rafael Ortega is starting in center field and batting sixth.