MLB Player News

The Nationals fear outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) might miss significantly more time than his 15-day stay on the disabled list, sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. Harper is scheduled to see a hand specialist Monday.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf is making progress, but is not expected to be activated during the team's seven-game homestand. Ruf, who is working his way back from a strained oblique, will need to play in extended spring training games before rejoining the big-league club.

"He needs at-bats," the general manager said. "He needs to play in games. We'll start him off at extended and see where he goes from there but he needs at-bats."

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will get a second opinion on the sprained thumb that just landed him on the 15-day disabled list. The evaluation will determine the injury's severity and how long it will keep him out, reports the Washington Post.

"Doesn't look good," a person familiar with the situation told the paper.

Harper wore a small cast on his hand during Saturday's win over the Padres. He got hurt Friday sliding headfirst into third on his three-run triple.

Nats manager Matt Williams said Harper suffered a similar sprain in high school, and that the second opinion will sort out what damage is new, according to the Post.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was not in the starting lineup Sunday against the Astros. 

Cespedes was expected to be out due to a hamstring issue. The team is not expected to place Cespedes on the disabled list, so he should return to action soon. Cespedes is hitting .238 in 84 at-bats.

The Nationals placed outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to April 26, with a sprained left thumb, reports the Washington Post. Washington recalled Steven Souza Jr. from Class AAA Syracuse.

Harper, who suffered the injury Friday, was hitting .289 with a homer and nine RBI.

The Nationals are being cautious with outfielder Bryce Harper, according to The Washington Post.

Prior to Saturday's game, manager Matt Williams expressed that Harper might be available off the bench over the next few days. He changed his tune after the game, explaining that Harper would only be used in emergency situations. While it's unclear what Harper's recent MRI showed, the team made sure to sit minor-league outfielder Steven Souza Jr. in case he needs to take Harper's place in the lineup. 

Harper is hitting .289 in 83 at-bats.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is showing signs of breaking out of a slump, as he hit safely for the fourth game in a row Saturday against the Mets.

Stanton had just one hit in the game, but he made it count, sparking a sixth-inning rally with a two-run homer to right field. He ultimately finished the game 1 for 5, lowering his batting average to .278.

Stanton has seen his average fall from .329 over the last week, but is still hitting .278/.352/.567 with seven home runs and a major-league leading 29 RBI in 24 games.  

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is doubtful to return to the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, MLB.com reports.

Cespedes suffered a hamstring strain Thursday and even though he said he wouldn't need a stint on the disabled list, it appears he'll be out through the entire weekend as he recovers. Cespedes has hit .238/.316/.464 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 84 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will do some running before Saturday's game against the Astros, and he could be available off the bench, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Cespedes left Thursday's game with a hamstring issue and has been out of the starting lineup for a few days. He has hit .238/.316/.464 with four home runs and 14 RBI in 84 at-bats.

Sizzling Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon is 8 for 19 against left-handers this season, but that did not prevent his absence from the Saturday lineup against Dodgers southpaw Paul Maholm.

Blackmon has followed up an encouraging 2013 with a brilliant start this year. He boasts an MLB-best .398 batting average and is second with a .663 slugging percentage. He has five home runs, 17 RBI and 20 runs.