MLB Player News

Belt went 2-for-4 with a double, a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.

His first long ball of the year was a big one, as it turned a two-run deficit into a one-run lead for San Francisco. Belt missed the start of the season with an Achilles injury and it looks like he may be a strict platoon player at this point -- sharing time with Wilmer Flores -- but he is seeing the ball well through five games (five walks, two extra-base hits) and is locked into the heart of the order against righties.

Manager Dusty Baker said Brantley (quadriceps) will serve as the designated hitter Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker indicated earlier in the day the 33-year-old was likely to sit out the series finale as a precaution, but he'll instead rejoin the starting nine after missing the past two games. Brantley is 14-for-32 with a home run, eight runs, six RBI and a stolen base to begin the season, so his return to the lineup will be a welcome sight for the Astros.

Ohtani (forearm) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, but he's expected to start at designated hitter in Thursday's series finale, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 26-year-old isn't expected to pitch again this season after suffering a forearm strain Sunday, but the team still believes he'll serve as the primary designated hitter the rest of the season. Ohtani has taken the past few days off as the injury is evaluated, but he should be back in the lineup Thursday. Justin Upton will bat cleanup as the DH for Wednesday's contest.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Yankees, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

McCutchen started in left field and batted leadoff during the matinee, going 0-for-3 with two runs and two walks. Jay Bruce will take over in left field for the Phillies in Game 2.

Harper (undisclosed) is starting in right field and batting third in Game 2 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

The 27-year-old made an early exit from the matinee after being looked at by the athletic trainer, but it was apparently a precautionary move with the Phillies holding an 11-3 lead. Harper was productive during Game 1 before exiting, going 1-for-3 with a two-run homer, two runs and a walk.

Brantley (quadriceps) is not expected to play Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it sounds like manager Dusty Baker wants to play it safe and give the veteran outfielder three full days off before returning him to the lineup Friday against Oakland. Kyle Tucker is starting in place of Brantley -- who is 14-for-32 (.438) with a home run, stolen base and 5:5 BB:K in nine games this season -- on Wednesday.

Harper was removed from the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader for an undisclosed reason, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper was looked at by a trainer after reaching base during the fifth inning but was able to remain in the game. However, the 27-year-old was pulled in the sixth inning, which could simply be a precautionary measure with the Phillies leading 11-3 at the time. His status for Game 2 is unclear. Prior to his early exit, Harper went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, two runs and one walk.

Brantley (quadriceps) is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley will sit for a second straight game as he continues to nurse a minor quadriceps injury. In his place, Kyle Tucker is starting in left field and hitting seventh. Brantley is 14-for-32 (.438) with a home run, stolen base and 5:5 BB:K in nine games this season.

Miller, who was activated from the injured list Tuesday, is a candidate to fill in all over the infield and as the designated hitter while multiple players are sidelined due to COVID-19 infection, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Miller's return from an ankle injury couldn't have come at a better time, as the Cardinals will be fielding a makeshift roster for the time being. The veteran brings a level of versatility ideally suited for such an unprecedented situation, as he's played every non-pitching position except catcher during his seven big-league seasons and even has 34 games of DH experience from his time in the AL with the Mariners, Rays and Indians. The current personnel shortfall for the Cardinals could equate to Miller enjoying frequent playing time in the short term.

Carpenter, who's filled the designated hitter role for the first five games of the season, is projected to shift to third base as part of the domino effect of Paul DeJong's (illness) absence, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Carpenter has started 635 career games at the hot corner, so the move, which is necessitated by Tommy Edman shifting over to shortstop in DeJong's stead, should be a good fit and should continue to keep the veteran's bat in the lineup on an everyday basis. Carpenter is slashing .200/.294/.267 over his first 17 plate appearances, but he should have plenty of opportunities to improve on those numbers for the time being without having to be overly concerned about a benching.