MLB Player News

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf enjoyed another solid performance at the plate Thursday against the Cubs with two hits, including his fifth home run of the season.

Ruf launched a two-run home run in the third inning off starter Jeff Samardzija to extend the lead for the Phillies. He finished 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBI in a 12-1 victory.

Ruf has recorded at least two hits in three of his last four games. He has homered three times over his last six games. He is hitting .303/.410/.551 with five homers and nine RBI in 89 at-bats.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was able to pinch-hit Thursday against the Marlins after being scratched before the game with right shoulder discomfort. McCutchen had a single in his only at-bat in the seventh inning.

Over his last seven games, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is hitting .471 with a double, a home run, and a 1.414 OPS. While he was due for a surge at some point, this jump in production actually has a direct reason.

On his MLB.com blog (which more people should really be reading), Belt writes that the team's hitting coaches have been suggesting he move back in the box and hold the bat with ihs fingers, not his palms. "But I was stubborn," Belt says. "I'd been successful my whole life with what I'd always done." It took some conversations with other players -- including Buster Posey and a player on another team -- to convince him to try it. His first attempt at the changes? Seven games ago. 

Belt says the tweaks allowed him to see the ball better, and have eliminated a rushed feeling at the plate. "I felt I was really tapping into my ability," Belt writes, "like I did in spring training." Fun fact: Belt hit .410 with eight home runs and a 1.265 OPS in 24 spring games. 

Owned in 46 percent of leagues, Belt has given us all a very tangible reason for this sudden outburst. If he sticks to the changes -- and he says he's 100 percent committed -- Belt could be a Fantasy steal this late in the season. 

Giants first baseman Brandon Belt made his first career start as a cleanup hitter Thursday against the Brewers. Belt is batting .471 (8 for 17) with one double, one triple, one home run, two RBI, three walks and six runs in his last six games.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen was scratched from Thursday's lineup against the Marlins because of right shoulder discomfort. McCutchen is considered day to day.

McCutchen has managed two hits in five straight games. He's batting .625 (10 for 16) with one home run, three doubles and six RBI in that span.

Nationals manager Davey Johnson was worried Wednesday against the Braves when outfielder Bryce Harper jogged to first base after flying out in the seventh inning.

"I was concerned about his leg bothering him because he didn't round the base," Johnson said, referring to the left knee that caused Harper to miss 31 games earlier this season, per MLB.com. "That was all that was about."

Harper and Johnson were seen arguing in the dugout, but Harper said the exchange wasn't as animated as it looked.

"He was checking on my leg and seeing how I felt," Harper said. "I just told him that I felt fine and I didn't want him to take me out of the game. I wanted to stay in the game."

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera is not 100 percent, according to mlive.com.

Cabrera was removed from Wednesday's game after hitting a go-ahead home run, which raised some eyebrows among fans and reporters. Manager Jim Leyland admitted after the game that he would not have removed Cabrera if he was fully healthy. "He's not 100 percent by any means. He's not moving real good. We can see that. We just felt like, in talking with him, that it was the thing to do," Leyland said. 

Cabrera is hitting .359/.453/.668 in 395 at-bats. 

Indians outfielder Michael Brantley reached base four times Wednesday against the Tigers.

Brantley picked up two doubles and a single, going 3 for 5 during the game. Brantley also walked. Despite being on base four times, Brantley only scored one run. Brantley is hitting .283/.336/.394 in 396 at-bats. 

Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen filled up the stat sheet in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Marlins, going 2 for 3 with one walk, one solo home run and one stolen base. It was McCutchen's fifth straight two-hit performance, a streak over which he's hit three doubles and scored five times.

McCutchen owns a .312/.384/.511 line with 16 home runs, 65 RBI and 24 stolen bases in 417 at-bats and is firmly in the mix for the NL MVP Award.

Phillies outfielder Darin Ruf failed to reach base Wednesday against the Cubs, the first time he has been held off base dating back to last season.

Ruf went 0 for 4 in a 5-2 loss, while striking out twice, ending a 33-game on-base streak that was the longest in the majors. Ruf's average fell to .294, while his on-base percentage stands at .400 in 85 at-bats.