MLB Player News

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna singled with the bases loaded in the sixth inning Sunday at St. Louis, driving in two runs. He finished 2 for 4 with one walk during an 8-4 win.

Ozuna extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He's batting .348 (16 for 46) with two home runs, three doubles, six RBI and 10 runs in that span.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is batting just .222 (4 for 18) in five games since returning from the disabled list. Harper said he agrees with manager Matt Williams' decision to drop him from second to sixth in the lineup while he works on his timing at the plate.

"I think it's going to take a little time to get back into it. I'm trying to have good at-bats and not chase bad pitches," Harper said. "I'm trying to get in a groove again and trying to get going. With two months off, it's kind of tough trying to get back and do things."

Harper, however, is pleased with his progress, especially after hitting an opposite-field single Saturday against the Cubs.

"When I hit the ball the opposite side, that's huge," Harper said. "I can hit the ball to left pretty well and feel good about it. That's a good sign. We won the ballgame yesterday and that's the biggest thing. That's all I ever care about. I know my swing is going to come. It will get there. If we win a ballgame, it will be a lot easier to get going."

Cubs prospect Jorge Soler, who has been sidelined since late May due to a hamstring injury, was activated off the disabled list at Double-A Tennessee Sunday.

Soler had been on a rehab assignment with the Arizona League Cubs (rookie), where he hit .391 (9 for 23) with one home run, three doubles and six RBI in seven games.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf is expected to be activated from the minor-league disabled list as early as Sunday or Monday, MLB.com reports. Ruf was on the shelf due to wrist and knee issues and received just 10 at-bats in the majors this season.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen fell just short of hitting for the cycle Friday, in an 8-2 win over the Phillies.

McCutchen finishes the game 4 for 5, and got everything but the home run out of the way in his first three at-bats. He would miss the cycle in his final two plate appearances, as he added a double instead. McCutchen finished the game with one run scored, two driven in and a stolen base.

McCutchen is hitting .323/.425/.536, ranking third in the National League in OPS. He is also fifth in RBI (52) and 10th in stolen bases (13), while hitting 12 home runs in 84 games.  

Matt Williams has explained the flip-flopping of Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon in the lineup Friday for the Nationals against the Cubs. Harper was moved up from sixth to second after having complained about hitting down in the lineup.

"I think it's a question of trying to create a little bit with Bryce at the top of the lineup, especially against a righty," Williams told the Washington Post. "We've faced three lefties the last three games. I wanted to give him some opportunity to drive runs in and the same holds true for Anthony in that regard. Bryce at the top of the lineup against the right-handed pitcher, he can create some stuff."

It remains to be seen if the switch becomes permanent against both righties and lefties.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been activated off the disabled list. The move had been anticipated.

Belt has been out for nearly two months with a thumb injury. He was off to a strong start, particularly in his power numbers, with a stat line of .264/.317/.504 and nine home runs in 129 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna extended his hitting streak to nine games Thursday, in a 5-4 loss to the Phillies.

Ozuna went 3 for 4 in the game with a double, and he scored twice in the loss. Ozuna is hitting .353 over the course of his hitting streak, raising his season line to .271/.317/.455 in 83 games. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has nothing but respect for manager Matt Williams, according to The Washington Post.

The two haven't exactly had the smoothest transition this season. Williams benched Harper earlier in the year for not hustling, and Harper seemed to question Williams' lineup decisions on his first day back. Those issues appear to be overblown, as the two downplayed the problems. 

"I got Bryce’s back in every way," Williams said. "That will not change. I want him to play every day, and I want him to play the way Bryce knows how to play."

Harper is hitting .287/.350/.415 over 94 at-bats.

Giants outfielder Hunter Pence may be moved to the leadoff spot for a couple games, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Following Wednesday's game, manager Bruce Bochy said Gregor Blanco would be moved from the leadoff spot, with Pence taking his place. Once Brandon Belt returns from the disabled list, he would likely hit second, behind Pence.

“I’ll probably drop [Blanco] down in the order until he gets his swing,” Bochy said. Blanco had been filling in for Angel Pagan, who has been sidelined with an injury. It's unclear whether Pence and Belt will retain their spots in the order once Pagan is able to return.