MLB Player News

Harper has been scratched from Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks with an illness, Masn.com's Mark Zuckerman reports.

Harper has been in a tailspin, having not homered since July 20, but he did get on-base three times in Monday's romp over Arizona and scored thrice.

Goins was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Goins was activated off the 15-day DL on Monday and started that day's game at shortstop before being demoted Tuesday. He went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Astros, and with Devon Travis and Darwin Barney ahead of him on the depth chart at second base, Goins will go down to Buffalo for the time being.

McCutchen is not in the Pirates starting lineup on Tuesday against the Braves.

McCutchen is hitting just .211 with 11 strikeouts over his last 38 at-bats. He will take a seat as Matt Joyce gets a start in the outfield on Tuesday. Expect McCutchen back in the lineup on Wednesday for the Pirates at Turner Field.

Buxton (knee) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Indians.

According to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, Buxton plans on testing his knee out before the game to see if he'll be available off the bench Tuesday. He injured his knee in Sunday's game against the White Sox but was initially listed on the lineup card the following day before ultimately being scratched. If he is available off the bench Tuesday, it'll be a step in the right direction towards returning to the lineup as early as Wednesday. Eddie Rosario will take his spot in center field Tuesday.

Cespedes will serve as the designated hitter the next five days for the Mets, Mets beat writer Matt Ehalt reports.

Cespedes, who is being slowed by a quad injury, will get time off in the field while the Mets head for road interleague play against the Yankees and Tigers. This is good news for Cespedes owners as it looks like he will avoid the disabled list for the time being.

Cespedes (quad) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

While the team has yet to indicate if Cespedes will need time on the DL, this will mark the third consecutive game that he's sat out. Michael Conforto will get the nod to start in left field for Tuesday's outing versus Masahiro Tanaka and the Yankees.

Reed was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Tuesday.

Reed has been on fire recently for Fresno, batting .447 with 11 runs and 14 RBI over his last 10 games, and he was rewarded with a promotion to the big leagues Tuesday. The six-foot-four, 275-pound first baseman has been an RBI machine in the minors and will now look to translate that production to the majors.

Cespedes (quad) will not be in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

It will be the third straight game missed by Cespedes as he continues to battle a nagging quad injury. He's still expected to be available for a pinch-hitting appearance if necessary, and the team remains hopeful he can avoid a stint on the disabled list. The Mets added a powerful outfield bat by trading for Jay Bruce on Monday, but will continue to await the return of their All-Star slugger. Once Cespedes returns, Michael Conforto seems likely to be squeezed out of everyday outfield duty.

Dickerson (hip) plans to take batting practice Monday, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Padres manager Andy Green said that Dickerson could be used as a substitute in Monday's contest. If all goes well, it appears Dickerson could return before week's end. Prior to being injured, Dickerson had been going on a tear, hitting .391 with four home runs over seven games.

Cespedes (quad) is not in the lineup Monday against the Yankees, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports.

Cespedes will miss a second straight game after exiting Saturday's contest with discomfort in his quad. The team remains hopeful that he'll avoid a stint on the DL, and an upcoming tour of AL parks later in the week could help keep Cespedes out of the field, should the quad feel well enough that he could DH. Regardless, the Mets will go with Alejando De Aza in left field Monday, while Justin Ruggiano and Curtis Granderson man center and right, respectively.