MLB Player News

Bryce Harper has been one of the few bright spots offensively for the Nationals, and he'll try to do some damage from the No. 3 spot in the lineup for Wednesday's series finale vs. the Mets. 

However, Harper has been better this year hitting clean-up, with a .356 average, 17 homers and 48 RBIs from that position in the lineup.

But, given the Nationals' injury situation, it's been hard to provide Harper any protection, so he's spent 11 of the last 12 games hitting third, where he's at .292 with 10 homers and 16 RBIs.

Tigers right fielder J.D. Martinez went 2 for 5 with three runs scored in Tuesday's loss to Seattle. 

Martinez continued his power surge. He hit his 27th home run of the year and his seventh in the month of July. 

Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run home run in Tuesday's loss to Seattle. 

Cespedes went 1 for 4 and snapped a six-game homer drought with his 14th of the year. 

Third baseman Justin Turner put the Dodgers up early, as he knocked a two-out solo home run in the first inning. The lead wouldn't hold up however, as the Dodgers dropped the game 4-3 to the Braves on Tuesday.

The home run, Turner's 12th of the year, was his only hit of the game. Turner has managed to maintain his solid hitting this season, and he is batting .361 over his last 10 games.

Twins outfielder Byron Buxton will be reevaluated in the next few days and may return to baseball activities by this weekend, per MLB.com.

Buxton is on the 15-day disabled list with a thumb injury.

Buxton missed time in his rehab following the death of his aunt. He is expected to return from Georgia on Wednesday, per the Pioneer Press.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter is batting in the sixth spot in the order on Tuesday against the White Sox. This is the first time this season that Carpenter did not hit either first or second in the lineup.

Carpenter has been struggling offensively lately, batting .132 with a home run and five RBI over his last 11 games. He is also batting .198 against left-handers this year, so with the Cardinals set to face a tough southpaw on Tuesday, Carpenter was moved down in the order.

A hand specialist cleared Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to begin dry swings Monday, reports the Miami Herald.

Stanton was expected to miss 4-6 weeks after breaking a bone in his hand. Marlins manager Dan Jennings said he was uncertain of when Stanton could return to the team.

"I don't know that there's truly a time frame," Jennings said. "He'll know and he'll tell us. One thing about Giancarlo, he's very straightforward and very honest with his own assessment of himself and where he is. He's putting together a tremendous year, and you know he wants to be back."

Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game. Howard has started the last five games and 77 games on the year. 

He'll be replaced in the lineup by Darin Ruf, who gets his 14th start. 

Cubs right fielder Jorge Soler hit a solo home run in Sunday's win over Atlanta. 

The homer was his fifth of the year and first since May 29. He went 1 for 4 in the game with a walk. He's now hit in four straight games and has four RBI over that span. 

Soler added his second stolen base of the year. 

Indians left fielder Michael Brantley went 1 for 3 with three walks and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Reds.

Brantley is hitting .364 with 12 hits, three doubles, two home runs, six walks and nine RBI over his last nine games.