MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt will meet with a concussion specialist, according to CSN.

Belt will meet with the specialist in Pittsburgh. He's been out since August 6 after being hit in the face with a ball during warmups. Belt hit .237/.296/.446 in 186 at-bats. 

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton reached base four times Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

The single was Stanton's weapon of choice throughout the game. He reached three times via the single, and a fourth time on a walk. Despite being on base four times, Stanton did not score a run. He did post an RBI. Stanton is now hitting .292 following the performance. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run Thursday against the Mets.

Harper struck in the top of the fourth inning. With a man on, Harper belted an 88 mph fastball out to right center. The hit was Harper's third home run in his last seven games. He finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and two RBI. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez did much of the heavy lifting Thursday, as he drove in the team's first two runs in a 5-2 win over the Pirates.

Martinez got the Tigers on the board with his solo shot in the fifth inning, and then added on RBI on a bases-loaded walk in the following frame. He went 2 for 4 with two RBI, one run scored and one walk in the win.

Martinez has been cold throughout August, but now has six RBI in 13 games. He is still hitting just .191 in the month, bringing his season line down to .303/.348/.566. 

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is back in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros, after leaving the previous day's game with a jammed thumb. The injury was never considered serious, so it isn't a surprise to see him starting in left field and batting fourth in Thursday's game.   

Cubs outfield prospect Jorge Soler is being considered as a potential call-up and/or a participant in the Arizona Fall League, MLB.com reports.

"[Soler] has been playing great, and is locked in now, and great at-bats, great attitude, playing good defense," manager Jed Hoyer said Wednesday. "We have to decide if he's had enough at-bats or not."

Soler has hit .367/.464/.753 with 12 home runs in 150 at-bats across three levels.

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was removed from Wednesday's game at Cincinnati due to precautionary reasons after jamming his hand on his final at-bat, according to The Boston Herald. He was officially diagnosed with a right hand bruise.

The injury doesn't appear to be serious, but Cespedes is being listed as day to day.

Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes left Wednesday's game at Cincinnati due to a right hand bruise. Cespedes was 1 for 3 with one RBI and one run before being lifted for pinch hitter Will Middlebrooks in the seventh inning.

Twins rookie first baseman/DH Kennys Vargas connected for his second career home run during a 10-4 loss Tuesday at Houston. It was a solo home run off fellow rookie Mike Foltynewicz in the ninth inning.

Vargas has hit safely in 9 of 11 games since his promotion from the minors. He is batting .283 with a .340 on-base percentage, .435 slugging percentage, .775 OPS, one double, two home runs and nine RBI. He has also struck out 15 times and drawn just two walks.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper clubbed his fifth home run Tuesday against the Mets.

Harper struck in his first at-bat. With a man on base, Harper belted a 93 mph fastball to left for the two run shot. He also singled later in the game. Harper finished 2 for 4, with one run scored and two RBI.