MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper fall awkwardly on his left knee during the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Mets. As a result, he might not be able to play in the second half of the days' two-game tilt, according to the Washington Times. Harper went 1 for 4 in the game and was lifted for a pinch-runner after his eighth inning single.

Harper has played in 21 of 22 games in the month of July since returning from the disabled list with a left knee injury. 

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera was not in the lineup Friday against the Phillies as he continues to nurse a sore hip flexor.

Cabrera took part in batting practice off a left-handed pitcher, which could indicate that he is hopeful of returning Saturday against lefty Cliff Lee, FOX Sports reports. The 30-year-old has missed four straight games and is hitting .358/.454/.666 in 374 at-bats before the injury.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera reported much improvement with his injured hip, Fox Sports reports Friday.

Cabrera has missed the past three games as a result of the injury. The Tigers lineup for Friday has not been posted yet, but even if Cabrera doesn't play Friday, he appears to be close to a return.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays after suffering a lower back contusion Tuesday.

Martinez, who served as the team's designated hitter, finished 1 for 3 with a double and two strikeouts in a 4-0 defeat. He is hitting .252 with seven homers and 36 RBI in 270 at-bats.

Bryce Harper delivered his first career game-ending home run, a two-run shot in the bottom of the ninth Thursday that lifted the Nationals to a 9-7 win against the Pirates. Harper drove a hanging slider over the wall just to the left of straightaway center with two outs off Bryan Morris, who earlier allowed a single to Kurt Suzuki.

Harper came through with his 14th homer of the season, a day after sitting out because of a bothersome left knee that landed him on the disabled list recently. He went 3 for 5 with three runs and one double Thursday. Harper is batting .304 (17 for 56) with one triple, one home run, four doubles and six RBI in his last 15 games.

Tigers manager Jim Leyland told MLive.com Thursday that the team will take a cautious approach with third baseman Miguel Cabrera, though he may be ready to play Friday.

Cabrera has missed three straight games with a sore hip flexor and is hitting .358/.454/.666 in 374 at-bats before the injury.

Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said Thursday it's unlikely outfielder Marcell Ozuna will return this season. Ozuna is scheduled for thumb surgery Friday.

"I don't have a definitive time frame," Beinfest said, per The Miami Herald. "But it's highly doubtful and improbable that you'll see him again this season. It's a minimum six to eight weeks, and then you have to ramp up from there. So we're going to run out of time this season."

The Marlins announced Thursday outfielder Marcell Ozuna, who was demoted to the minors late Monday, was placed on the major-league, 15-day disabled list because of a left thumb ligament tear and avulsion fracture. He will have surgery Friday.

Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera will miss his third straight game with a sore hip flexor, according to mlive.com.

Manager Jim Leyland told reporters in a pregame media session that Cabrera would not be listed in the starting lineup. Leyland has said Cabrera likely won't need a stint on the disabled list, but has been quiet about his day-to-day status. 

Cabrera is hitting .358/.454/.666 in 374 at-bats. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper returned to the starting lineup Thursday against the Pirates after getting treatment for his knee Wednesday. Harper is batting .214 (15 for 70) with one home run and six RBI in 19 games since returning from the disabled list July 1.