MLB Player News

Harper was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, and two RBI as Washington thumped the Phillies on Friday night.

He got off to a relatively slow start, but has caught fire recently, raising his average to .313 with four long ones, and now totaling 11 RBI on the year. Harper is the furthest thing from a secret - when he's hot, the league can only hope to contain him, and that is never easy.

Martinez was 1-for-4 in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Astros.

After failing to tally a hit for the first time all season Thursday versus the Pirates, the power-hitting outfielder kicked off a new streak Friday. Martinez had drawn a pair of free passes Thursday, meaning he's reached base safely in every game this season. He's slashing an outstanding .412/.475/.588 line through the first nine games.

The Indians appear to be committed to having Brantley playing in back-to-back games before activating him from the DL, MLB.com reports. " think the best way to put it is we want to make sure this works. We'd hate to get him back here and then find out that maybe he's not bouncing back, or he's not ready to bounce back," manager Terry Francona said.

Brantley is scheduled for game action again Saturday and working out with the Indians on Friday and appears to be a mid-week option at best for the upcoming week.

Colon will start at third Friday as the Royals begin a series with the Athletics, "Royals' announcer Joel Goldberg reports.

Colon will fill in for Mike Moustakas at third, and will bat eighth in the order. Moustakas is getting the night off to deal with a sore hamstring, but is not expected to miss an extended period of time. Therefore, Colon's spot in the lineup is only temporary unless Moustakas' hamstring injury proves to be more serious than originally thought.

Buxton (hand) is hoping to available as a pinch runner or defensive replacement Friday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

X-rays on Buxton's hand were negative after he was hit by a pitch Thursday, but he admitted Friday that the hand still stings when swinging against live pitching. It sounds like Buxton may be available in some capacity Friday, but it's uncertain if he will be able to start at all in the series against the Angels. He will probably need to pick it up at the plate upon his return to avoid a trip back to the minors.

Turner (hand) is back in the lineup Friday against the Giants.

He was out of the lineup Thursday due to swelling in his left hand, the result of being hit by a pitch Wednesday night. However, Turner was able to pinch hit Thursday and is back in the lineup Friday, manning third and batting cleanup against lefty Madison Bumgarner. The 31-year-old Turner is 8-for-36 (.222 average) with two homers and seven strikeouts in his career against Bumgarner.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Giants.

Trayce Thompson will man center field and bat sixth for a second straight day, with another lefty due up in Madison Bumgarner. Pederson has collected eight hits (including one homer) in 28 at-bats so far this season, but he's also struck multiple times in four games and 12 times in total. It looks like he may be in a strict platoon for the foreseeable future.

Buxton (hand) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

The official diagnosis for Buxton is a left hand contusion, the result of being hit by a Mat Latos pitch in the third inning of Thursday's game. X-rays on the hand were returned negative. Eddie Rosario will shift over to center field to replace Buxton on Friday, opening the door for Oswaldo Arcia in left. Injury aside, Buxton has had a rough go of it so far this season, recording four hits (two doubles) while striking out 13 times in 26 plate appearances.

Miller is out of the lineup Friday against the White Sox, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Miller has struggled to begin the season, hitting a meager .077 through eight games. Tim Beckham will enter the lineup in Miller's place, which offers a more favorable righty-lefty matchup against White Sox ace Chris Sale.

Turner (undisclosed) came on to pinch hit Thursday and collected an RBI single in his lone at-bat.

Turner was poised to get the night off Thursday after being hit by two pitches in his previous game, but he was able to push through any lingering soreness to put the Dodgers on the board in the seventh inning. He eventually came around to score to give the Dodgers a one-run lead that they would not relinquish. Given that Turner came back ahead of schedule, he figures to be back at his usual spot at third base for Friday's game against the Giants.