MLB Player News

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was back in the starting lineup Thursday against the Padres, his first start since running into a wall at Dodger Stadium Monday.

Harper is in his usual spot, playing left field and batting third, despite admitting to the Washington Times earlier in the day that he wasn't feeling great. 

Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper received a pinch-hit appearance Wednesday, but isn't feeling great, according to the Washington Times. 

When asked, Harper said he felt "terrible." Manager Davey Johnson said Harper "should be all right" Thursday, but Harper was more cryptic, saying "we'll see."

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper made a pinch-hit appearance in the ninth inning of Wednesday's game, grounding out to first base in a 3-1 loss. It was Harper's first game action since slamming into an outfield wall Monday.

Harper's status for Thursday's series opener against the Padres is unknown.

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper, who was out of the starting lineup Monday while dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, also reported soreness in his rib cage Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Harper is still considered day to day.

As expected, Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers. He's day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee after colliding with the outfield wall trying to chase down a fly ball Monday -- a collision that necessitated 11 stitches on his chin and neck.

The Nationals open a series against the Padres in San Diego Thursday, but Harper's availability for that game is unknown.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) was able to play some catch Wednesday but has yet to begin jogging, the Miami Herald reports.

"I'm sure I'll be able to hit way sooner than I'll be able to run," Stanton told the Herald.

Stanton has been out since April 29.

Astros outfielder J.D. Martinez homered in the club's 7-5 victory Wednesday against Detroit.

It was Martinez's first home run since returning from the minor leagues May 7. Martinez is struggling with strikeouts -- he has eight in 24 at-bats since the return -- but the power has been there. He has four doubles to go with the home run.

Martinez is hitting .246/.274/.478 this season.

You may not have noticed unless you own him yourself, but the Cardinals' Matt Carpenter has found another gear since the start of May, batting .386 (17 for 44) with four doubles and nine walks. He's the fifth highest-scoring second baseman in Head-to-Head leagues during that stretch and is now the eighth highest-scoring second baseman overall.

This is closer to what I expected from the first-year starter coming out of spring training: a high on-base percentage and enough extra-base power to distinguish him at a weak position. He's not quite as valuable in Rotisserie leagues given his limited home run ability and almost non-existent steals potential, but even in those formats, his quadruple eligibility makes him a definite asset.

If you like what Martin Prado has had to offer in recent years, you should like Carpenter as well.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen homered for the third time in 13 games Tuesday against the Brewers. He had just two home runs in his first 25 games.

McCutchen has broken out since a four-hit performance April 30. He's batting .353 (18 for 51) with a .421 on-base percentage, .549 slugging percentage and .970 OPS in his last 13 games. On top of the three home runs, McCutchen has one double, six walks, seven RBI and eight runs in that span. His batting average has soared from .217 to .266 since April 29.

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said during a radio interview Wednesday with 106.7 The Fan outfielder Bryce Harper, who is day to day with a bruised shoulder and knee, will not need further testing. He added he has no idea why Harper was nauseous, but he is still sore.

"There's no concussion, he's feeling better. He'll be ready to go in the next day or so," Rizzo said.