MLB Player News

Belt did not do any structural damage to his knee when he hyperextended it Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

Belt received good news from initial tests, suggesting that he may end up missing just the initially reported two or three days. He's supposed to receive more tests when the team returns to San Francisco on Thursday, which could potentially change that timeline, but the prognosis looks good for now.

Belt hyperextended his right knee in Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic Bay Area reports.

The first baseman suffered the injury while beating out an infield single in the seventh inning. He'll be out a minimum of two or three days, though further tests are scheduled which could rule him out for longer. Pablo Sandoval will likely fill in for him at first base with Evan Longoria about to return from his broken hand and reclaim his third base job.

Belt was removed from Wednesday's game with an apparent leg injury after beating out an infield single in the seventh inning, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Belt was seen limping following the play and wound up exiting the game after a trainer looked at his right knee, per TJ Cotterill of The Tacoma News Tribune. Look for an update on his status in the coming hours once team doctors get an extended look at his leg.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Brewers.

He made Milwaukee starter Freddy Peralta pay a steep price for a pair of walks in the fifth inning, hitting his 25th homer to blow the game open for the Nationals. An increase in defensive shifts against Harper has hurt the 25-year-old's batting average in a major way, but he is tied for the NL lead in homers, he ranks first in walks and has already doubled his stolen-base total from a season ago.

Harper (illness) will man center field and bat third against Milwaukee on Wednesday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper was left out of Tuesday's lineup due to a stomach bug, though he was able to enter the game and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout during the extra-inning loss. He will not miss any additional time and should be fully operational for the series finale.

Cespedes will undergo season-ending surgery on both heels, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Assistant general manager John Ricco said the outfielder's recovery time will be 8-to-10 months, though it's a very real possibility that he will require even more time to recover. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Robert Anderson in Green Bay. In addition, it will be completed in two separate procedures 2-to-3 months apart as one foot will be done before the other. Cespedes recently went in for a second opinion on this issue and received consensus feedback that he couldn't avoid surgery. Looking ahead to next year, it wouldn't come as a surprise to see Cespedes remain on the shelf until the All-Star break, further dampening his value as an injury-plagued 32-year-old outfielder.

Winker (shoulder) is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Cardinals, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Winker has been day-to-day with shoulder soreness, and he'll miss his second straight game. Adam Duvall will draw the start in left field with Winker out.

Pederson went 4-for-7 with a run scored, an RBI and two doubles in Tuesday's 16-inning loss to the Phillies.

Pederson mustered four of the Dodgers' 11 hits. He started July 5-for-30, but is now 11-for-25 with five extra-base hits over his last seven games with a plate appearance.

Cespedes (heel) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Tuesday, Tim Britton of The Athletic New York reports.

The team is still working through a second opinion on the possibility of surgery, which would end his season. At this point, it's looking pretty unlikely that Cespedes provides much, if any, fantasy value over the rest of the season. The move clears a roster spot for Jeff McNeil, who was promoted from Triple-A.

Harper was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Brewers with a stomach bug, but may be available off the bench, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Fortunately it was just a minor ailment that caused him to be a late scratch. He was replaced in the lineup by Michael Taylor, and may make an appearance as a pinch hitter.