MLB Player News

Harper went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Harper put the Phillies on his back in the eighth inning. He knocked a two-run double to give them a lead, then stole third and scored when Elias Diaz's throw was errant. With four multi-hit efforts through eight games, there's little to reason to doubt Harper's bat since he returned from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old is slashing .344/.417/.500 with a home run, three RBI, nine runs scored and two doubles through 36 plate appearances, and the steal was his first of the season.

Morel went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Twins.

The Cubs batted Morel in the leadoff spot and the youngster responded with another good effort. Since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, he's rattled off three straight multi-hit games, producing two home runs and five RBI. About the only blemish Friday was that Morel got caught stealing, but he's doing more than enough to earn a consistent spot in the lineup.

Alvarez will be the designated hitter against the White Sox on Friday instead of playing left field, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Alvarez is still hitting third, but he'll be kept away from defensive duties in a game that has been delayed due to inclement weather. Corey Julks moves from DH to left field in Alvarez's place.

Martinez (back) is serving as the DH and batting cleanup Friday versus the Padres.

Martinez was activated from the injured list during the Dodgers' team off day Thursday and will step right back into the starting lineup for Friday night's series opener against San Diego. He had posted an .840 OPS with four home runs and 15 RBI through 23 games prior to suffering a lower back injury.

Brantley has inflammation in his surgically repaired shoulder, and the Astros are shutting him down for an indefinite period, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The veteran outfielder was expected to return to the lineup this week, but Brantley was checked out in Houston on Wednesday after he reported continued soreness in his shoulder. There's no timeline for when he will be able to resume baseball activities, and it's possible the Astros will take the next stage of the 36-year-old's recovery with a lot more caution. Brantley has yet to play in 2023 after undergoing surgery on his shoulder last August.

Morel is starting at second base and batting leadoff Friday night against the Twins.

The versatile 23-year-old has a prime opportunity to carve out more of a regular role with the Cubs as Nico Hoerner recovers from a left hamstring strain. Morel has gone 4-for-8 with a homer and a double in two games since being recalled Monday from Triple-A Iowa, where he was slashing .330/.425/.730 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI, four stolen bases and 31 runs scored through 29 games.

Winker is not in the lineup Friday against the Royals.

Luke Voit will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth with left-hander Josh Taylor getting deployed as the opener for Kansas City. William Contreras moves up to the No. 2 spot in the Brewers' batting order for Friday's series opener.

Ozuna is on the bench again for Atlanta's game in Toronto on Friday, Grant McAuley of 929 The Game reports.

Ozuna started the first game after Travis d'Arnaud returned but has now been benched each of the last two contests. The 32-year-old Ozuna had started seven in a row and has been on a power binge of late, but it's clear d'Arnaud's return is going to eat into his playing time.

Martinez was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Dodgers on Thursday.

Martinez will skip a rehab assignment and slide right back into the Dodgers' lineup for Friday's series opener against the Padres. The veteran designated hitter missed the last two-and-a-half weeks of action with lower-back tightness.

Pederson is not in the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Wilmer Flores will serve as the Giants' designated hitter and bat second with left-hander Tommy Henry on the mound for Arizona. Mitch Haniger, Bryce Johnson and Michael Conforto are starting across the outfield.