MLB Player News

McCutchen went 3-for-7 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Thursday in the Giants' 16-inning victory over the Marlins.

Cutch left the yard on a first-inning hanging breaking ball from Dan Straily, launching it into the left field stands. He also cleared the fences Wednesday and has done so five times in his past 11 games. In that stretch, he's 18-or-49 (.367) with 12 RBI and 11 runs scored. McCutchen looks like he's firmly curing his early-season power woes.

Belt (appendicitis) could return as early as Friday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy recently stated that Belt would return during the Giants' upcoming homestand, which begins Monday and runs through June 28. However, with Evan Longoria set to miss extended time after suffering a fractured fifth metacarpal during Thursday's game, the Giants may choose to bring Belt back sooner than originally planned. Nothing has been confirmed at this point, and the Giants may still choose to play it safe and stick with their plan to send the first baseman on a rehab assignment before bringing him back.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Turner has looked strong in his first two games back from his brief layoff, adding a home run to the single and double he produced in Tuesday's contest. The extra-base hits are a great sign for his fantasy owners, as power is usually the last thing to return for a batter following a serious wrist injury.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and a double in Wednesday's loss to the Marlins.

McCutchen got the Giants on the board early with his homer in the top of the first inning, but they ultimately couldn't make it hold up in the 5-4 defeat. The 31-year-old has notched multi-hit efforts in six of his last seven starts, hitting four doubles, two home runs and six RBI over that span. Though he got off to a slow start over the opening two months, McCutchen is now up to a .262/.351/.447 slash line following his recent outburst.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he expects Belt (appendicitis) to return during the Giants' upcoming homestand, which begins Monday and runs through June 28, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

There was hope that Belt would be cleared to return from the disabled list over the weekend, but that's no longer in play. The first baseman is expected to head out on a brief minor-league rehab assignment once he's ready to start playing games. He's been out since undergoing an appendectomy June 2.

Carpenter is on the bench Wednesday against the Padres.

The veteran infielder is hitting .324 over his last eight games, bringing his season line up to a respectable .232/.335/.418. Jedd Gyorko will handle the hot corner in his place Wednesday.

Harper is in the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees.

Harper left Tuesday's game after getting hit in the foot by a pitch, but the issue was evidently a minor one as he won't have to miss a start. The Nationals must not be very concerned, as he'll have the added responsibility of manning center field Wednesday.

Turner (wrist) went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's blowout win over the Rangers.

Turner made his second return from a wrist injury he sustained in spring training after feeling discomfort following his first comeback attempt in May. The slugging third baseman has some work to do after slashing a meager .243/.325/.343 in 19 games prior to his brief layoff, but the fact that he roped an extra-base hit is a promising sign that his wrist may finally be back at full strength.

Pederson went 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles in Tuesday's win over the Rangers.

Pederson's two-run blast in the second inning was part of an early barrage against starter Bartolo Colon, whom the Dodgers tagged for eight runs in under four innings. The 26-year-old has been on an absolutely absurd tear in June, slashing .481/.481/.1.444 with seven home runs, five doubles, 10 RBI and 11 runs scored in just nine games (seven starts).

Manager Dave Martinez expects Harper (foot) to be in the lineup Wednesday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Harper was dealing with numbness in his left foot when he exited in the eighth inning after being hit by a pitch, but is apparently confident that he won't miss a single start. The 25-year-old underwent X-rays on his toe, which revealed no further issues, Jamal Collier of MLB.com reports. Expect the Nationals to use caution if any issues happen to crop up for Harper overnight, especially with an off day Thursday looming to offer an additional day of rest.