MLB Player News

Giants manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that first baseman Brandon Belt will make his return from the disabled list Friday in San Diego, MLB.com reports Wednesday.

Friday makes it eight weeks since Belt fractured his left thumb, and Belt has been putting in work on a minor-league rehab assignment to work his way back. Belt will return to his usual spot at first base when he returns from the DL.

Belt was hitting .264/.317/.504 with nine home runs and 18 RBI in 35 games before the injury.  

Though Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been hitting the ball well on his minor-league rehab assignment, his thumb is still sore, according to MLB.com.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the team could have accelerated his timeline based on Belt's .588 average in his first five rehab games, the soreness has made them aim for more caution. Belt has not played since May 9 when he suffered the injury, but he is on schedule to return Friday against the Padres.  

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Phillies after being unable to start Sunday due to a hamstring injury. However, Ozuna did deliver a pinch-hit home run Sunday against Oakland.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper returned to left field in his first game off the disabled list Monday against the Rockies. Harper, who has been sidelined since late April with a thumb injury, also hit sixth against Yohan Flande.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was activated from the 15-day disabled list as expected Monday. Harper has been sidelined since late April due to thumb surgery.

Despite not making the starting lineup Sunday due to an apparent hamstring injury, Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna smacked a pinch-hit solo home run in his team's 4-3 loss to the A's.

Ozuna said Sunday that he expects to play in the team's next game Tuesday, so the injury appears to be a relatively minor issue. Sunday's home run extended his modest hitting streak to six games, and Ozuna owns a .265/.311/.454 line with 14 home runs and 47 RBI in 291 at-bats.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said first baseman Brandon Belt (thumb), who is on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Fresno, won't be ready to return Tuesday. However, there's a "good chance" he will be ready for the start of the Padres series Friday.

The Dodgers announced Sunday they placed infielder Justin Turner on the 15-day disabled list due to a left hamstring strain. Infielder Carlos Triunfel was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque to take Turner's roster spot.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton said Sunday he has accepted an offer to compete in the Home Run Derby during the All-Star break, per The Miami Herald. Though, an official announcement has yet to be made.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) was not in the lineup for Double-A Harrisburg Sunday, signaling he's expected to return to the Washington roster Monday against the Rockies, per The Washington Post.

Harper connected for three home runs and totaled five RBI Saturday for Harrisburg. He is batting .643 (9 for 14) with one double, four home runs, seven runs and 11 RBI in five rehab games between Harrisburg and Class A Potomac.