MLB Player News

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt began his minor-league rehab assignment with Class A San Jose Thursday, as he works his way back from thumb surgery.

Belt began his assignment as a designated hitter, going 1 for3 with strikeout before he was lifted in the ninth inning. He is expected to stay on assignment for about a week before being activated, assuming he avoids any setbacks. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper played seven innings in his rehab debut for Double-A Harrisburg Thursday, his first extended game action since suffering a thumb injury in late April.

Harper went 1 for 3 with a walk and a strikeout before he was lifted in the seventh inning. His early exit was to be expected, as the team's plan all along has called for Harper to play seven innings Thursday. He will then play a full nine innings Friday, before taking Saturday off and playing Sunday.

Manager Matt Williams told MLB.com he thinks Harper could return to the Nationals lineup as early as Monday in Colorado. 

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez is going to continue seeing playing time, according to mlive.com.

Manager Brad Ausmus met with outfielder Torii Hunter Wednesday to inform Hunter that Martinez might start more often. Hunter was receptive to the change, saying he doesn't mind as long as the team is winning. Martinez will also get some starts over left fielder Rajai Davis. 

Ausmus had good things to say about Martinez's recent surge. He described Martinez as the "prototypical" five hitter. In 122 at-bats, Martinez is hitting .320, with nine home runs.

Mariners shortstop Brad Miller went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in his team's 5-4 loss to the Red Sox Wednesday.

Miller's eighth-inning home run closed his team's gap to one run, but the offense was unable to come up with an equalizing run before running out of chances. The shortstop has knocked four of his seven home runs in the month of June. He has hit .208/.280/.336 with 21 RBI and three stolen bases in 226 at-bats.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley went 2 for 4 with a walk, a home run and two RBI in his team's 6-1 win over the Diamondbacks Wednesday.

Bradley drove in his first run on a third-inning groundout before slugging a solo home run in the fifth inning. He has enjoyed an excellent season statistically, hitting .325/.394/.524 with 12 home runs, 51 RBI and nine stolen bases in 286 at-bats.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez went 2 for 4 with a walk, a double, a home run and two RBI in his team's 8-6 win over the Rangers Wednesday.

Martinez has been lights out at the plate over the last 10 days, hitting six home runs in his last nine games. He extended his hitting streak to 14 games Wednesday. Martinez has hit .320/.356/.648 with nine home runs and 31 RBI in just 122 at-bats.

Dodgers outfield prospect Joc Pederson suffered a separated right shoulder Tuesday, reports the Los Angeles Times.

Pederson suffered the injury while attempting to dive for a ball in the outfield, and was diagnosed Wednesday. The injury is not considered a terribly serious one, however, though he will be sidelined at least 10 days as a result. 

Outfielder Andrew McCutchen prevented the Pirates from being shut out Wednesday at Tampa Bay, delivering a one-out, opposite-field solo home run off David Price in the top of the ninth inning. The home run ran Price from the game in a 5-1 win for the Rays.

It was McCutchen's 12th home run and eighth in June. He is batting .351 with 10 doubles and 25 RBI in 23 June games as well.

Rehabbing Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper appears set to continue his minor league stint Thursday for Double-A Harrisburg, according to the Washington Post. He played three innings for Class A Potomac on Monday.

Harper has been out of the Washington lineup since April 25 with a thumb injury.

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez continued his hot hitting Tuesday, as he extended his hitting streak to 13 games in an 8-2 win over the Rangers.

Martinez went 2 for 5 in Tuesday's game, with his eighth home run of the season. He drove in two runs and scored once, while adding a double and striking out twice in the win.

Martinez has found his swing after being cut by the Astros in the offseason. He is hitting .314/.346/.619 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 37 games.