MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has nothing but respect for manager Matt Williams, according to The Washington Post.

The two haven't exactly had the smoothest transition this season. Williams benched Harper earlier in the year for not hustling, and Harper seemed to question Williams' lineup decisions on his first day back. Those issues appear to be overblown, as the two downplayed the problems. 

"I got Bryce’s back in every way," Williams said. "That will not change. I want him to play every day, and I want him to play the way Bryce knows how to play."

Harper is hitting .287/.350/.415 over 94 at-bats.

Giants outfielder Hunter Pence may be moved to the leadoff spot for a couple games, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Following Wednesday's game, manager Bruce Bochy said Gregor Blanco would be moved from the leadoff spot, with Pence taking his place. Once Brandon Belt returns from the disabled list, he would likely hit second, behind Pence.

“I’ll probably drop [Blanco] down in the order until he gets his swing,” Bochy said. Blanco had been filling in for Angel Pagan, who has been sidelined with an injury. It's unclear whether Pence and Belt will retain their spots in the order once Pagan is able to return. 

Giants manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that first baseman Brandon Belt will make his return from the disabled list Friday in San Diego, MLB.com reports Wednesday.

Friday makes it eight weeks since Belt fractured his left thumb, and Belt has been putting in work on a minor-league rehab assignment to work his way back. Belt will return to his usual spot at first base when he returns from the DL.

Belt was hitting .264/.317/.504 with nine home runs and 18 RBI in 35 games before the injury.  

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez continued his hot -hitting ways Tuesday, in a 3-0 win over the Athletics.

Martinez provided some insurance runs for Rick Porcello's complete-game shutout, with his sixth-inning two-run home run. He went 2 for 4 overall in the game, adding a double and a run scored in the win.

Martinez now has 10 home runs in just 145 at-bats, just one shy of his career-high set in 395 at-bats in 2012. He is hitting .317/.354/.628 since he was called up to join the Tigers.

Though Giants first baseman Brandon Belt has been hitting the ball well on his minor-league rehab assignment, his thumb is still sore, according to MLB.com.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the team could have accelerated his timeline based on Belt's .588 average in his first five rehab games, the soreness has made them aim for more caution. Belt has not played since May 9 when he suffered the injury, but he is on schedule to return Friday against the Padres.  

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who was unable to start Tuesday because of a hamstring injury, said he could have started, if needed. He said he's dealing with hamstring tightness and doesn't believe the injury is serious.

"I'm ready," Cespedes said, per the San Francisco Chronicle.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (hamstring) and catcher Derek Norris (back) were unable to start Tuesday at Detroit. Norris missed a fourth straight start, while Cespedes sat out for the first time since getting hurt Monday.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna returned to the starting lineup Tuesday against the Phillies after being unable to start Sunday due to a hamstring injury. However, Ozuna did deliver a pinch-hit home run Sunday against Oakland.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller continued his recent surge with a solo home run during a 10-4 win Monday at Houston. It was Miller's fourth home run in his last 13 games.

Miller hit .349 (15 for 43) with a .417 on-base percentage, .628 slugging percentage and 1.045 OPS over his last 13 starts in June. For the month, he hit .298 with a .355 on-base percentage, .512 slugging percentage, .867 OPS, five home runs, 12 RBI and 15 runs in 26 games.

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera went 2 for 4 with a solo home run in his team's 5-4 win over the A's Monday.

Cabrera tied the game at 1-1 with his sixth-inning blast before things got crazy in the final two innings, with the game ultimately ending on a walkoff grand slam. The slugger has hit .314/.366/.546 with 14 home runs and 65 RBI in 306 at-bats.