MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a walk, while also scoring twice and stealing his first base of the season Tuesday in San Diego.

Those who drafted McCutchen for his combination of power and speed were surely starting to get a little antsy, but he has quelled any fears with a pair of homers and a steal in the last three games. The 2013 NL MVP swiped just 11 bags in 2015 after getting at least 18 in each of his six previous seasons, but it'd be shocking if he didn't end up breaking double digits once again at age 29.

Harper hit a grand slam, his seventh home run, in Tuesday's win against the Marlins.

The grand slam was his only hit in four at-bats, which lowered his average to .333. More importantly, Harper's power continues to be absolutely ridiculous, as his slugging percentage is up to .867. With seven home runs in 13 games, Harper is on pace for 87 on the year. Take "on pace" numbers with a grain of salt as always, but Harper is as good a bet to challenge records as anybody in baseball these days.

Belt is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

He will head to the bench for the first time this season with lefty Robbie Ray due up for Arizona. Buster Posey is set to start at first base in Belt's absence, his first start at first this year, as Trevor Brown takes over behind the plate. Belt has hit safely in seven of his last eight games with three home runs over that span, including one against a left-handed pitcher.

Pederson credits mechanical adjustments made this winter with his early-season success, the Dodgers' official site reports.

Pederson is off to a .257/.316/.514 start, including a pair of homers in 12 games. His .14 BB/K is uncharacteristically low compared to last season's 0.54 mark, but we should see that rise considerably over the course of the season. The bigger concern is that Pederson has just three at-bats versus left-hand pitching, though manager Dave Roberts has not called this a strict platoon.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, and two runs scored on Monday against the Nationals.

Stanton is off to a slow start this year, hitting just .238 early on. Although the slugger has three home runs in 42 at-bats, he has no other extra-base hits thus far. Stanton is a career .269 hitter and has prodigious power. His bat should pick up sooner rather than later.

Ruf is out of the lineup Monday against the Mets, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Ruf returned from a shoulder injury for Sunday's contest, but he'll head back to the bench with right-hander Noah Syndergaard taking the ball for New York. Ryan Howard will man first base and bat cleanup in his stead.

Pederson hit the game-winning two-run home run in Sunday's 3-1 victory over the Giants.

The 23-year-old is off to a nice start in his second full season -- he's slashing .257/.316/.514 through the first two weeks. Pederson's numbers at this point are slightly above where they were last year at this time, which is an encouraging sign that the young outfielder is making strides.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's game versus the Reds.

The lefty tied the game in the fifth inning when he bashed his second home run of the season, and he has now accounted for 10 RBI and eight runs scored over the last eight games. Carpenter's average still sits at a modest .250, but he is hitting the ball with authority and continues to get on base, as his .911 OPS will illustrate.

McCutchen went deep Sunday for his second homer in as many days against Milwaukee.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the solo home run was his lone hit in six official at-bats -- he twice was retired with the bases loaded. McCutchen is also still looking for his first stolen base after being thrown out for the second time in two attempts Sunday.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a walk Sunday at Philadelphia.

Harper's blast in the 10th inning could've been a game-winner had Jonathan Papelbon not blown the save in the bottom of the frame. In any case, Harper has been absolutely on fire, as he's homered in four straight games along with multi-hit efforts in his last three contests.