MLB Player News

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said Tuesday outfielder Darin Ruf (oblique) has been taking batting practice and is expected to begin playing in extended spring games by the end of the week.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton went 1 for 4 Tuesday but made his only hit count, smacking a two-run home run in his team's 9-0 win over the Braves.

Stanton hasn't had a multihit performance in nine games and only five hits over that stretch but four have been for extra bases, with his last two clearing the fench for home runs. He has hit .269/.345/.567 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 104 at-bats.

Nationals manager Matt Williams said that outfielder Bryce Harper underwent successful thumb surgery Tuesday, the Washington Post reports.

Harper's return should come in six to eight weeks, with Williams adding, "We're optimistic."

Harper suffered a UCL tear in his thumb during a head-first slide into third base while legging out a triple Saturday. He has hit .289/.352/.422 with one home run and nine RBI in 83 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes rejoined the starting lineup Tuesday at Texas after missing four games due to a hamstring injury. Cespedes, however, did not return to the field and was the team's DH.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin told reporters that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is "50-50" to return to the lineup Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Cespedes went through running drills on Monday, as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring injury. He is hitting .238 in 84 at-bats.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins was optioned down to Triple-A Buffalo Monday night, MLB.com reports. The team has not yet announced a corresponding move to replace him on the current roster.

Goins batted .150 with one home run and one RBI in 60 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will likely return to the starting lineup Tuesday if all goes well with his running drills Monday, MLB.com reports.

If Cespedes runs without issue, he could also be used off the bench in Monday's game against the Rangers. He has been out since Thursday while dealing with a hamstring issue.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb Tuesday, ESPN.com reports.

Harper's recovery from the injury is expected to keep him out of action until at least early July. He suffered the injury on a head-first slide into third base Friday. It'sa  big blow to the Nationals, who are four games back in the NL East as of Monday.

As expected, Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes did not return to the starting lineup Monday against the Rangers, missing a fourth straight start. Manager Bob Melvin indicated during a radio interview Monday he expects Cespedes back in the lineup Tuesday.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin told MLB Network Radio he doesn't expect outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to be in the lineup Monday at Texas. However, he doesn't expect him to be sidelined for long.

"Probably won't start (Monday), and I'm not sure if I can use him off the bench. But he should be back (Tuesday)," Melvin said. 

Melvin added Cespedes might DH for a day or two before returning to the field.