MLB Player News

The Cubs sent outfielder Jorge Soler to play in a Class A rehab assignment game on Friday, according to CSN Chicago.

Bryce Harper continued to bolster his MVP candidacy, blasting two home runs Wednesday in a loss to the Mets. 

Harper homered to right in the first inning and again in the eighth inning. He now has 36 home runs on the season, second in the National League, to go along with 85 RBIs. 

Padres rookie outfielder Alex Dickerson is nearing a return to the field after recovering from a hip injury, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. 

Dickerson, the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year, injured his hip while avoiding a pitch during batting practice. But he has been running pregame and has been available for pinch-hitting duties. 

"We've been building that up over the last four days," Dickerson said. "It's been feeling good. I just came up a little banged-up and I'm just trying to make sure it's 100 percent."

Padres outfielder Alex Dickerson has not been available to play recently after he tweaked his hip during a batting practice session last week, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. It is not known when he might return.

While Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is working hard to return to the field this season, he acknowledged Sunday that he could miss the rest of the season, reports the Miami Herald. Stanton has been out since late June with a wrist injury.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is considered day to day in his recovery from a fracture in his wrist, reports Fox Sports. Stanton went 0 for 2 during a rehab game Tuesday, but left after not feeling right.

"It's a just a matter of when the wrist and the soreness goes out of the hand," manager Dan Jennings said. "I think it's a plus that he went down to try the rehab start and test himself to see where he is. Now it's just how much time it will take before he can come back and be as close to 100 percent and the comfort level of his strength with his hand and his wrist."

Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen is ready to roll Friday for the opener of a critical series in St. Louis. He is in his familar third spot in the lineup.

McCutchen has been dealing with a nagging knee ailment, but it hasn't been evident by his performance at the plate. He has slammed two hits in nine of his last 15 games.

Bryce Harper did not record a hit in Thursday's game, but the Nationals star outfielder made some history. 

Harper became the first player since 1914 to 0-for-0 with four walks, four runs scored and an RBI, per MLB.com. The Nationals went on to put a beating on the Braves in a 15-1 final.

This is actually the second game this season that Harper scored four runs without registering a single hit. He's the only player in history to accomplish that feat.

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen received a day off Thursday against the Brewers to deal with a left knee injury, which manager Clint Hurdle said has been bothering the All-Star outfielder for 5-6 days.

"We’ve been talking about a day off for the past four or five days," Hurdle said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Last night, we decided today would be a good day off."

Hurdle added, however, he is only expecting McCutchen to miss one game. He said McCutchen will be in the lineup Friday unless he "misses the flight."

McCutchen is batting .382 (21 for 55) with two home runs, five doubles, eight RBI, eight runs, eight walks, 10 strikeouts and one stolen base in his last 15 games.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was able to start Thursday against the Braves after being removed from Wednesday's game due to left glute tightness.

Harper is batting .370 (17 for 46) with one home run, six doubles, five RBI, nine runs, 12 walks, 11 strikeouts and one stolen base in his last 14 games.