MLB Player News

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley was removed from Monday's game against the Angels after taking a blow to the head on a slide into second base, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Brantley was removed for precautionary reasons, and the nature of the injury makes it likely he'll undergo concussion testing before being cleared to return to the field. After going 1 for 2 with an RBI Monday, Brantley has hit .323/.391/.519 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI and nine stolen bases in 266 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner was held out of the starting lineup Monday night against the Rockies because of a calf injury. Turner has been sidelined since Thursday because of the injury. He is hitting .295 with three homers and 17 RBI in 139 at-bats this season. His status remains uncertain for Tuesday's game against Colorado.

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley got two more hits Sunday, including his 11th homer. He's 14 of 26 (.538) with two homers and three doubles over his past seven games. Brantley will try to stay hot Monday in the opener of a four-game series against the Angels.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna had a big offensive game Saturday, going 2 for 3 with a walk, a triple, a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in his team's 8-6 loss to the Pirates.

Ozuna continues to strike out at an alarming rate, racking up 19 strikeouts in his last 11 games, but he hasn't let him limit his power at the plate. He owns a .271/.319/.466 line with 12 home runs and 42 RBI in 236 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 2 for 4 with a walk and a three-run home run in his team's 8-6 win over the Marlins Saturday.

McCutchen is in the middle of a fantastic June performance, and he's rattled off seven straight games with two hits in each. He's smacked seven of his 11 home runs this month as well. McCutchen has hit .323/.434/.554 with 41 RBI and eight stolen bases in 251 at-bats.

Dodgers infielder Justin Turner is not in the starting lineup Saturday as he continues to deal with a claf injury.

Turner wasn't in the starting lineup Friday either but did manage a pinch-hit RBI single in his team's 4-3 win over the Diamondbacks.. He may be used as a pinch hitter later in Saturday's game as well.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will pick up a bat and get in some work this week, according to The Washington Post. 

Harper plans to take some light swings and play catch. It will be the first time he's been able to do either since his thumb surgery. Harper will not take part in batting practice yet. The team wants to ease Harper in slowly. 

Harper has not played since April 25 due to thumb surgery. He hit .289 over 83 at-bats prior to the injury.

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton clubbed his 18th home run Friday.

Stanton stepped to the plate in the third inning, and wasted no time getting to work. He belted a 90 mph fastball from Jeff Locke on the first pitch he saw during the at-bat. He also singled, doubled and walked during the game. Stanton finished 3 for 5, with one run and one RBI.

Stanton is hitting .305/.399/.598 over 249 at-bats.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt took dry swings prior to Friday's game against the Rockies, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Belt continues to recover from a fractured thumb and is expected to increase his workload moving forward. 

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner was held out of the starting lineup Friday against Arizona because of calf tightness, MLB.com reports. Turner owns a .285/.338/.401 slash line with three homers and 17 RBI in 137 at-bats this season. His status remains uncertain for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.