MLB Player News

Marlins manager Mike Redmond said Monday outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) is going through base-running drills at the team's spring complex and that a rehab assignment might not be far off, according to The Palm Beach Post.

Athletics outfielder Yoenis Cespedes has been caught stealing twice in his last four games and is now just 2 for 7 on stolen-base attempts in 2013. Cespedes was 16 of 20 on stolen-base attempts last season.

"It's just kind of a tough stretch for him right now," manager Bob Melvin said Sunday, per the San Francisco Chronicle. "Just like hitting sometimes, you go through some good streaks and some bad streaks. ... He had a couple of mishaps and some injuries on the bases, and at times you'll back off a little bit because you want to stay healthy, maybe a little trepidation at times. But he has the ability, as we've seen, to run the bases very well and steal some bases, and he will more so as we get going here."

Cespedes is batting .247 (20 for 81) with one triple, three home runs, six doubles and 11 RBI in his last 20 games.

Just a day after having his 16-game hitting streak snapped, Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna bounced back with a big day at the plate Sunday against the Mets.

Ozuna fell a home run shy of the cycle as he finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored and four RBI in an 11-6 victory. He is hitting .358 (24 for 67) with 10 RBI in his last 18 games played.

Brandon Belt entered the game Sunday in the seventh inning and used his lone at-bat to secure a 4-2 win for the San Francisco Giants at St. Louis.

Belt, who came in as a pinch hitter for starting pitcher Chad Gaudin, doubled to score two runs, which ended up being the difference.

The first baseman struggled at the beginning of the season as he was ill and took a while to regain his strength. After hitting .235 in April, he was up to .266 in May and his overall average is now .250. Belt has 28 RBI and six home runs.

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper says his injured knee hasn't improved yet, but he still hopes to return to baseball activities by the end of the week and return to the team by June 11, CSN Washington reports Sunday. Harper is still dealing with bursitis in his left knee dating back to May 26.

Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna entered Saturday's game against the Mets with a major-league leading 16-game hitting streak, but it ended as he went 0 for 3. 

Ozuna walked once and scored a run in his first hitless game since May 14. The Marlins won the game, 8-1. 

Ozuna raised his batting average from .300 to 330 during the course of the streak, during which he had six RBI. 

Marlins manager Mike Redmond threw batting practice to outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) prior to Saturday's game against the Mets. Stanton is expected to begin shagging fly balls soon.

"He looked good," Redmond said. "He's getting close as well, which is exciting. Two days ago, I wasn't as excited, just wasn't sure where he was at. But he's pushing himself and he wants to play and he wants to be a part of this team."

The Nationals placed outfielder Bryce Harper on the 15-day disabled list as expected, Saturday. Harper's DL stint is retroactive to May 27, as he has not been able to play through bursitis in his left knee. Harper is eligible to come off the DL June 11. 

The team recalled pitcher Erik Davis from Triple-A Syracuse to replace Harper on the roster. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has missed five games with bursitis in his left knee, and The Washington Times reports Saturday the team is likely to place him on the disabled list Saturday.

The Nationals have been hoping to avoid the DL, but Harper was already unlikely to play during their weekend series against the Braves, and he can be placed on the DL retroactive to May 26. 

Miami Marlins rookie outfielder Marcell Ozuna had three hits and an RBI Friday in a 5-1 win over the Mets, pushing his hitting streak to 16 games -- the majors' longest active mark.

Only Edgar Renteria's 22-game streak in 1996 is longer for a Marlins rookie.

Ozuna is hitting .356 during the streak but has just four doubles, a triple, no home runs and six RBI.

He is hitting .330 with a home run, 11 RBI and has an .829 OPS this season.

Ozuna started the season at Double-A Jacksonville before being called up to make his MLB debut April 30.