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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Bryce Harper tossed after first at-bat
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was ejected from Sunday's game at Pittsburgh after arguing a called third strike on a check swing to end the top of the first inning. Believing the pitch was a ball, Harper gestured toward third-base umpire John Hirschbeck, who delivered the 20-year-old's second career ejection.
Harper finished the series just 2 for 10 with a strikeout in all three games as his batting average dipped to .312. He has gone eight games without a multi-hit performance -- his longest stretch of the young season.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Assessing Marcell Ozuna's hot start
The Marlins' youth movement appears to have found another solid player, as outfielder Marcell Ozuna has proved himself ready for the majors in his first five games. The 22-year-old has a .389 batting average with at least a hit in each game. Let's take a look at his resume to see if the Marlins have a star in the making.
Ozuna's biggest strength as a prospect has been his power, as he had at least 20 home runs in each of his last three seasons. He is impressing with his plate discipline in his early major-league action, which is the first place where the eyebrows go up. After striking out in at least 21.5 percent of his at plate appearances in his previous four minor-league seasons, Ozuna has struck out in 10.5 percent of his at-bats in the big leagues.
Ozuna is a solid young talent who entered the season as Baseball America's No. 75 prospect, but he is also probably being rushed at the major-league level. He projects as a big-time power hitter down the road, but Ozuna could get exposed after this nice early start.
I would not run out to grab him just yet in yearly Fantasy formats. The Marlins will probably ride him even when he begins to take his lumps because that is what they do. But he remains more of a keeper/dynasty option until we get a bigger sample size.
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Miguel Cabrera DH | DET
Miguel Cabrera homers twice, drives in six
Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera notched his third four-hit performance of the year on Saturday night against the Astros. He went 4 for 4 with two home runs and six RBI. The 30-year-old also walked once and scored three times in the 17-2 win.
Cabrera drove in a run with a single in his first at-bat before hitting a two-run homer off starter Lucas Harrell in the second inning. His walk in the fourth forced in another run, then he led off the sixth with a solo homer.
He capped off his evening with an RBI single in the seventh
Cabrera is batting .390 through 29 games with six home runs and 36 RBI. -
Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Marcell Ozuna unleashes first MLB home run
Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna uncorked his first major-league home run during Saturday's contest against the Phillies.
Ozuna took starter Cole Hamels deep for a solo home run in the second inning. He finished 1 for 3 with a run scored and an RBI in a 2-0 victory.
Ozuna has recorded a hit in each of his first five games since his promotion from Double-A Jacksonville. He is hitting .389 (7 for 18) over that span. -
Andrew McCutchen DH | TEX
Andrew McCutchen starting to produce
Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen turned in another solid night at the plate Friday against the Nationals. McCutchen collected three hits 3-1 win, including blasting his fourth home run of the year.
He ripped the solo shot off starter Ross Detwiler in the first inning and singled in each of his next two at-bats before grounding out in the seventh.
McCutchen finished 3 for 4 with a run scored and RBI. He has driven in five runs over his last five games. -
Miguel Cabrera DH | DET
Miguel Cabrera gets 1,000th hit as Tiger
With a single up the middle in the third inning of Thursday's game against the Astros, Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera collected his 1,000th hit in a Tigers uniform.
He added one more hit in the game, finishing 2 for 5 in a 7-3 win. He walked twice and drove in a run as well. Cabrera is batting .373 with four home runs and 30 RBI.
Cabrera is at 1,841 hits for his career, giving him a good chance to reach 2,000 by the end of the season.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Bryce Harper plays through injury
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was able to play through a bruised side Thursday against the Braves, just one day after suffering the injury.
He was in his usual spot in the lineup, in left field and batting third. He went 0 for 4 with a walk and a strikeout in a 3-1 win.
Harper is batting .063 (1 for 14) over his last five games.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Bryce Harper returns to field
Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper was in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Braves, after he was pulled from Wednesday's game due to an injury to his side. Harper was batting third and playing left field.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Matt Carpenter returns to leadoff spot
Cardinals second baseman Matt Carpenter has returned to the leadoff spot.
Carpenter had been hitting lower in the order lately, but is coming off a three-hit game Wednesday. He's lived up to his sleeper promise, hitting .283/.349/.475 in 99 at-bats this season.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
X-ray on Bryce Harper comes back negative
An X-ray on Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper's injured side came back negative.
Harper expressed that he would want to play Thursday, but it doesn't look like he'll be in the starting lineup. The injury shouldn't keep him out long, and he'll likely try and play through pain to get back into the lineup.