MLB Player News

Ozuna was 3-for-5 with a double and run scored in Friday's 6-3 loss to the Braves.

Hitting in the two-hole, the four-year veteran put forth his best performance of the new season. The one blemish was when Ozuna couldn't deliver in a clutch eighth-inning RBI opportunity, as he struck out with two outs and the bases loaded. Friday's effort marked the 25-year-old's second multi-hit game of 2016, as he continues to find his way at the plate in the early going. Despite the three hits Friday, he's slashing a lackluster .229/.250/.371 over the first eight games.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer for Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Like last year, Vogelbach is off to a fast start, as he's slashing .387/.441/.548 with nine RBI in 31 at-bats for Iowa. Also like last year, he's limited to where he can play and blocked in the majors. No one doubts he can hit, but it seems his ultimate destination will be in the American League, where he can regularly be the designated hitter.

Ruf (shoulder) was used as a pinch hitter in Friday's game. He went 0-for-1.

Ruf had been sidelined with a sore left shoulder. He will be in the starting lineup Sunday when the Phillies face lefty Gio Gonzalez.

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.