MLB Player News

Harper went 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored in Saturday's loss to the Cubs.

The homer, a first-inning shot off John Lackey, was Harper's first since July 27. With a .327/.424/.620 slash line, 28 home runs, 88 runs scored, 81 RBI and 64 walks through 100 games, Harper is well on his way toward winning the NL MVP, which would be the second of the 24-year-old's career.

Belt was placed on the 7-day concussion DL on Saturday.

He apparently sustained a concussion in Friday's contest, and will be replaced by Pablo Sandoval on the active roster. Belt will be sidelined until at least next Saturday, so he should be benched in all formats next week. He was hitting .241/.355/.469 with 18 home runs and three steals in 451 plate appearances, but given his .284 BABIP, the batting average was due for some positive regression.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Braves.

He now leads the majors with 35 homers, and his second blast of the game -- a 477-foot bomb to center field -- was the longest hit in SunTrust Field to date. Stanton is now just two home runs shy of his previous career high, and the only thing that might stand between him and a 50-HR campaign is his notoriously bad luck with injuries.

Belt went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's rout of the Athletics.

With 18 homers on the season, the 29-year-old has tied the career high he set in 2015 in 34 fewer games. The first baseman's .242 average leaves much to be desired in leagues that don't use on-base percentage, but his improved power production has helped alleviate the lack of hits. Belt is locked in at the plate right now (6-for-17 with two homers over his last four games), so he could be ready to go on one of his patented extended hot streaks.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and two runs in Thursday's 10-8 win over the Cubs.

Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt connected on back-to-back home runs off All-Star closer Wade Davis in the ninth inning to break a tie and send the Diamondbacks to a series victory. In just 12 games (11 starts) with his new team, Martinez has already amassed six home runs and 14 RBI, but the impact has been somewhat dampened by a .195 average.

Cespedes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Thursday's loss to Colorado.

This was just the second home run through the past 30 games for Cespedes, as the slugger has struggled to hit for power for a prolonged stretch. He still sports a rock-solid .281/.327/.504 slash line for the campaign, but the counting stats are trailing off considerably, as Cespedes has just 11 homers, 30 RBI and 35 runs.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two runs scored during Thursday's win over the Mets.

It's been a special fantasy season for Blackmon, and while his nine stolen bases are well below the expected total, he's made up for it in spades in the other categories. After all, Blackmon boasts an elite .330/.384/.606 slash line with 25 homers, 71 RBI and 97 runs. It's also worth noting that his decline in stolen bases really began with last year's 17.

Pederson is not in Thursday's lineup against the Braves.

Pederson will take a seat Thursday, per usual when Los Angeles faces a left-hander pitcher. With Sean Newcomb taking the mound for Atlanta, Enrique Hernandez draws the start in center for the series finale.

Carpenter (hip) is back in the lineup and batting third for Thursday's series finale in Milwaukee.

Carpenter was scratched from Wednesday's contest with right hip discomfort, but it appears as though he won't need any extra time out of the lineup. The 31-year-old will man first base during Thursday's game, and looks to extend his on-base streak to eight games in a row. Since the All-Star break, Carpenter is slashing .323/.391/.452 with six RBI and eight runs.

Winker went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Pirates.

After managing only five homers in 191 games with Triple-A Louisville over the last two seasons, Winker's now left the yard in back-to-back games with the Reds. The 23-year-old had shown modest power in the lower levels of the minors along with strong contact and plate discipline skills, but in all likelihood his line-drive swing won't produce too many more long balls in 2017.