MLB Player News

Bryce Harper launched another home run Tuesday, connecting for a two-run blast in the Nationals’ loss to the Diamondbacks.

After hitting six homers over a three-game stretch (Thursday-Saturday), Harper did not homer in his last two before Tuesday.

He now has seven homers over his last six games and 12 overall for the season, tops in the National League.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez hit his seventh home run of the season in Tuesday night's 2-1 win over the Twins. 

Martinez hit his homer in the fourth inning off of Kyle Gibson. Martinez went 1 for 4 of the night and struck out once. This is Martinez's third consecutive game with a hit. 

Martinez is now hitting .235/.331/.294 this season. 

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run in Tuesday's win over Philadelphia. 

McCutchen went 2 for 4, improving his average to .229. He has three homers and 17 RBI this year. 

Indians center fielder Michael Brantley went 2 for 4 in Tuesday's loss to St. Louis. He doubled, walked once, scored and drove in a run. 

Brantley is now hitting .347, and is carrying an 11-game hit streak. He hit his ninth double and drove in his 17th run. 

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter hit his 15th double of the year in Tuesday's win over Cleveland. 

Carpenter went 2 for 5, raising his average to .336. He scored twice and drove in his 21st run of the season. 

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly admitted Tuesday that the strong play of Alex Guerrero has complicated his plans for third base this season, according to MLB.com. 

Guerrero has split his time this season between third and left field, hitting .326 with six homers and 14 RBI in 46 at-bats. 

Juan Uribe (.261, 1 HR, 6 RBI) and Justin Turner (.309, 5 HR, 13 RBI) have also seen significant time at third for the Dodgers this season.

Mariners shorstop Chris Taylor is back in the starting lineup on Tuesday after missing Monday's game with a finger injury, the team announced.

Taylor will replace Brad Miller, who moves to designated hitter and pushes Rickie Weeks to the bench. Taylor is hitting .167 in 18 at-bats this season.

The Mariners are currently the favorites (-145) against San Diego.

Twins slugger Kennys Vargas is in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers. Vargas was given the day off on Sunday, though he is starting to emerge from his season-long slump at the plate.

Vargas, who will be the designated hitter and bat sixth in the order, owns a batting line of .414/.452/.621 in eight games this month. The hot streak has brought his season batting average to .247, to go along with his three home runs and 10 RBI. 

Torii Hunter, who was the DH on Sunday, is back in right field on Tuesday, while youngster Eddie Rosario gets the day off. 

Tigers outfielders J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes have swapped lineup spots for the second time in a week.

Martinez was dropped to sixth for the first time this season Wednesday and stayed in that spot for the team's last five games while Cespedes batted fifth. The Tigers have revered to the lineup they featured through most of April, with Martinez fifth and Cespedes sixth.

The Tigers are favorites (-129) against the Twins at home Tuesday.

Indians center fielder Michael Bourn is not in the starting lineup on Tuesday. There is no mention of an injury or other issue here, so it looks like manager Terry Francona is just giving the struggling Bourn a day off. Bourn has actually seen his batting average rise to .218, as he is currently riding a very modest three-game hit streak.

Michael Brantley is moving over to center field, while David Murphy handles left field. Brandon Moss returns to the starting lineup after being rested on Sunday. He will bat fourth and play right field.