MLB Player News

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Sunday with Class A Rancho Cucamonga, MLB.com reports.

He's expected to serve as a designated hitter in his first game action. Barring any setbacks, Turner could be back from the disabled list after three rehab games.

"I don't think it's a matter of [how many] games, it's just trying to get some at-bats," Turner said. "Everything feels good. I took a bunch of at-bats down there, live ABs vs. a couple of young guys down there. But it's a little bit different when you have a cage around you and taking actual ABs. So we'll see how that goes."

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller was ejected from Saturday's game against the Athletics for arguing balls and strikes.

Miller was tossed by home plate umpire Bob Davidson after arguing following a strikeout in the bottom of the fourth inning. He owns a .206/.276/.333 with eight homers and 24 RBI in 267 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen came up big at the plate with his ninth career multi-home run game Saturday night against the Reds in Cincinnati.

McCutchen launched a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning and belted a go-ahead solo home run in the 11th inning, which proved to be the difference. He finished 3 for 5 with three runs scored and two RBI in a 6-5 victory. He owns a .325/.422/.573 with a 17 homers and 61 RBI in 351 at-bats this season.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon went 5 for 5 with one double, one RBI and one stolen base in his team's 9-3 loss to the Twins Saturday.

Blackmon has managed to tally at least two hits in each of his last four games, and Saturday's five-hit effort was his best performance since going 6-for-6 with three doubles and a home run in a game during the first week of the season. He has hit .306/.352/.483 with 14 home runs, 51 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 346 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner (hamstring) took swings against live pitching at the team's spring training facility in Arizona, MLB.com reports. Manager Don Mattingly expects Turner to return from the 15-day disabled list shortly after the All-Star break.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen hit his 15th home run Friday against the Reds.

McCutchen struck in the third inning. He worked a three-pitch at-bat against Mat Latos, homering on a 91 mph cutter. McCutchen later doubled. He finished the game 2 for 3, with two runs scored and one RBI. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper only had one hit Friday, but made it count.

In the seventh inning, Harper stepped to the plate with no runners on. He clobbered a 90 mph sinker out to right field for the solo shot on the second pitch of the at-bat. Harper finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. The big fly was his second home run of the season. 

The Royals optioned infielder Christian Colon to Triple-A Omaha Friday, in order to clear a roster space for the return of Norichika Aoki from the disabled list.

Colon appeared in six games with the Royals, going 4 for 12 with three runs scored.  

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez has continued his hot-hitting ways in the month of July, as he put together another multi-hit effort in a 16-4 win over the Royals.

Four days after slugging his career-high 12th home run of the season, Martinez was held in the yard Thursday. He still managed to make his impact felt, reaching base three times and driving in three runs, while going 2 for 3 with a walk. He added a pair of runs scored in the win.

Martinez is hitting .429/.462/.829 with three home runs and nine RBI in nine July games.  

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera came back from his first off-day of the season reinvigorated Thursday, as he reached base four times in a 16-4 win over the Royals.

Cabrera went 2 for 3 in the game, and he drove in three runs in the first four innings as the Tigers ran up the score. He also walked twice and scored once in the big win.

Cabrera got off to a slow start -- by his standards -- but is back to seventh in the American League with a .926 OPS. He is batting .315/.376/.550 while ranking second in the AL with 73 RBI in 87 games.