MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper provided all the scoring in his team's 3-2 win over the Marlins Thursday, hitting a three-run homer in the first inning.

It was one of three hits on four at-bats for Harper in the win. He owns a .285/.383/.509 line with 20 home runs, 55 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 393 at-bats.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who is dealing with shoulder tendinitis, received a cortisone shot after Wednesday's game against the Angels, MLB.com reports.

Manager Bob Melvin told reporters Thursday that he could return to the lineup as early as Friday. Cespedes is hitting .243 with 24 homers and 76 RBI in 506 at-bats this season.

Mets infielder Justin Turner was out of the starting lineup again Thursday as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury, but he ended the game in the on-deck circle as a potential pinch-hitter.

However, manager Terry Collins revealed after the game that Turner was being used as a decoy to get the Giants to bring in a right-handed pitcher if the game had extended another batter, ESPN New York reports. Turner would have then been removed for another pinch-hitter.

Turner did full baseball activities before Thursday's game, running at 75 to 80 percent by his own estimation, and could return to the lineup during the team's weekend series against the Phillies.

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is not in the team's starting lineup Thursday against the Mets. 

Belt will be replaced by Buster Posey at first base. Belt is hitting .289/.361/.478 in 477 at-bats.

Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins smacked his first major league home run on Wednesday during a loss to the Yankees. Goins went deep off David Huff for a solo shot in the fourth inning with two outs. 

Goins went 1 for 4 in the game with the HR and is batting .243 on the year after 74 at-bats with three runs batted in and 14 strikeouts. 

Mets infielder Justin Turner was unable to play yet again Wednesday against the Giants due to a lingering hamstring injury. Turner has been out since Sept. 10 due to the injury, and it is not clear when he will be able to return. 

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes blasted a two-run homer during Wednesday's afternoon game against the Angels. Cespedes went deep for the 24th time this season in the bottom of the third inning off starter Jason Vargas.

Cespedes finished the game 2 for 5 with the two RBI. He has a .243 average and 76 runs batted in on the year for the A's.

The 27-year-old has three homers in his last 10 games with 13 runs batted in over that stretch. He's been driving in plenty of runs for Oakland down the stretch run of the season, though he's seeing most of his at-bats as the designated hitter.

Mariners infielder Brad Miller is not expected to return until this weekend's series against the Angels, at the earliest, according to manager Eric Wedge.

Carlos Triunfel will likely take over his spot at shortstop for the time being. Miller batted .260 in 281 at-bats before the injury.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes underwent an MRI, which revealed tendinitis in his right shoulder, MLB.com reports.

Cespedes, who has not structural damage in his shoulder, will be mostly used as a designated hitter for now. He is hitting .385 (15 for 39) with two homers and 12 RBI in his last 12 games. He owns a .243/.301/.441 slash line in 497 at-bats.

Mets infielder Justin Turner was held out of the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Giants because of a hamstring injury.

Turner has been sidelined since Sept. 10 and remains hopeful of rejoining the team at some point this week. He is batting .273/.315/.380 with two homers and 15 RBI in 187 at-bats.