MLB Player News

Nationals manager Matt Williams told reporters outfielder Bryce Harper (thumb) will play three innings in his first rehab game with Class A Potomac Monday. He will then progress to five innings Tuesday before resting Wednesday.

Harper could then play three consecutive games after Wednesday's off-day. Williams added Harper is expected to see time at all three outfield positions on his rehab assignment.

With Bryce Harper getting closer to returning from a thumb injury, Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Ryan Zimmerman will be returning to third base upon Harper's activation off the disabled list and Anthony Rendon will move to second base, per MLB.com.

Although Zimmerman is happy to oblige his manager, he said Sunday he prefers to stay in left field and have Rendon continue to play at third base.

"Going out to left field, gave us the best chance to win. It’s a good problem to have. Too many good players and not enough spots," Zimmerman said. "I’ll see what happens. I’m pretty comfortable in left and I think Anthony is a hell of a third baseman. I think there is no doubt right now he is better over there than me. But you have to have your best players in the lineup somehow. Whatever [manager] Matt [Williams] needs me to do, that’s what I’ll do."

Tigers outfielder J.D. Martinez has a 12-game hitting streak after going 1 for 4 with a two-run double and a run scored Sunday. Martinez has 13 RBI during the streak, which has upped his average to .310/.344/.593 in 113 at-bats.

Although Torii Hunter is expected back from his hamstring injury Tuesday when the Tigers visit Texas, manager Brad Ausmus isn't likely to sit Martinez.

"I don’t see how I can take him out of the lineup,” Ausmus told MLB.com, "unless he tells me he doesn’t want to play or can’t play."

The website said Hunter's return could cost Rajai Davis and Austin Jackson playing time.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is taking ground balls Sunday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. 

Belt is hoping to begin a minor-league rehab assignment soon. He's attempting to come back after thumb surgery. Belt was hitting .264, with nine home runs, prior to the injury.

Cubs prospect Jorge Soler, who has been out of action for Double-A Tennessee since late May due to a hamstring injury, began a rehab assignment with the Arizona League (rookie) Cubs Saturday. Soler went 3 for 5 with one run, two doubles, two RBI and two strikeouts.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt hopes to begin a minor-league rehab assignment within the next 10 days, MLB.com reports Saturday.

"I'm not in charge of it, but I think the initial time frame would be I would do some rehab stuff a week to 10 days from now," Belt said. "I'm on schedule right now and I feel pretty good."

Belt took batting practice for the first time Friday since suffering a broken left thumb in early May. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will begin his rehab assignment Monday, according to The Washington Post.

Harper will play Monday and Tuesday at Class A Potomac. He has a planned day off Wednesday. The team will evaluate Harper at that point in order to determine the next step in the process. Harper has been out since late April following thumb surgery.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been cleared for game action, according to FoxSports.com.

Harper is set to begin a rehab assignment at Class A Potomac. It's unclear how much time he'll need before he's ready to return to the majors. Harper has been able to take batting practice at the park the past few days, and did not report any significant issues with his surgically repaired thumb. He's been sidelined since late April with the injury.

Indians top hitter and left fielder Michael Brantley was targeting a Saturday return from a mild concussion and has apparently nailed it. He is in the lineup for Game 2 of the series against visiting Detroit.

Brantley owns a nine-game hitting streak that has improved his stat line to .326/.393/.521. His 11 home runs are already a career-best.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt was able to take batting practice on the field Friday, according to CSN.

Belt said he felt no vibrations on his injured thumb while hitting. Belt has also been playing catch and throwing lightly. Once Belt is capable of throwing with more force, he should begin a rehab assignment. He's expected to receive a fair amount of at-bats before he's activated.