MLB Player News

Bryce Harper continued to bolster his MVP candidacy, blasting two home runs Wednesday in a loss to the Mets. 

Harper homered to right in the first inning and again in the eighth inning. He now has 36 home runs on the season, second in the National League, to go along with 85 RBIs. 

Padres rookie outfielder Alex Dickerson is nearing a return to the field after recovering from a hip injury, per the San Diego Union-Tribune. 

Dickerson, the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year, injured his hip while avoiding a pitch during batting practice. But he has been running pregame and has been available for pinch-hitting duties. 

"We've been building that up over the last four days," Dickerson said. "It's been feeling good. I just came up a little banged-up and I'm just trying to make sure it's 100 percent."

Padres outfielder Alex Dickerson has not been available to play recently after he tweaked his hip during a batting practice session last week, reports the San Diego Union-Tribune. It is not known when he might return.

While Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is working hard to return to the field this season, he acknowledged Sunday that he could miss the rest of the season, reports the Miami Herald. Stanton has been out since late June with a wrist injury.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez was in Sunday's lineup against the Indians, the team announced. Martinez was dealing with a triceps issue.

Meanwhile, shortstop Jose Iglesias remains sidelined with a finger injury.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 1 for 3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Indians. The home run was Martinez's 35th of the year, and the fifth in his last 17 games. 

Martinez was also hit by a pitch in the triceps area. He was able to stay in the game, but he remains questionable for Sunday's series-finale, according to MLB.com. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is considered day to day in his recovery from a fracture in his wrist, reports Fox Sports. Stanton went 0 for 2 during a rehab game Tuesday, but left after not feeling right.

"It's a just a matter of when the wrist and the soreness goes out of the hand," manager Dan Jennings said. "I think it's a plus that he went down to try the rehab start and test himself to see where he is. Now it's just how much time it will take before he can come back and be as close to 100 percent and the comfort level of his strength with his hand and his wrist."

Struggling Byron Buxton is the odd man out of the Twins lineup Friday in Houston after the activation of Aaron Hicks off the disabled list.

Buxton has just one hit in his last 23 at-bats and has fanned 11 times during that stretch. His average has fallen to .189.

It remans to be seen if his absence from the Minnesota lineup is permanent as the team seeks to remain in the playoff race.

Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen is ready to roll Friday for the opener of a critical series in St. Louis. He is in his familar third spot in the lineup.

McCutchen has been dealing with a nagging knee ailment, but it hasn't been evident by his performance at the plate. He has slammed two hits in nine of his last 15 games.

Bryce Harper did not record a hit in Thursday's game, but the Nationals star outfielder made some history. 

Harper became the first player since 1914 to 0-for-0 with four walks, four runs scored and an RBI, per MLB.com. The Nationals went on to put a beating on the Braves in a 15-1 final.

This is actually the second game this season that Harper scored four runs without registering a single hit. He's the only player in history to accomplish that feat.