MLB Player News

Harper (elbow) hit on the field with his Phillies teammates Friday in Houston, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper will do that again Sunday ahead of what will be a crucial follow-up appointment with Dr. Neal ElAttrache early next week in Los Angeles. ElAttrache performed Tommy John surgery on Harper last November, and the current belief is that the 30-year-old slugger might be cleared to return as the Phillies' designated hitter as early as next weekend if all parties involved feel it's a safe idea. The initial expectation at the time of his reconstructive elbow procedure was that Harper would be sidelined until the All-Star break.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Alvarez (neck) is doing better and currently participating in pregame activities, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

When asked if Alvarez was available off the bench for Friday's game against the Phillies, Baker wouldn't say, claiming that the opposition "might be listening." Alvarez is missing his fourth consecutive contest due to tightness in his neck, but it's obviously a positive sign that the slugger is participating in warmups. Assuming no setbacks, there's a good chance he's back in the lineup for Houston by the end of the weekend.

Manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Friday's game against the Phillies that Brantley (shoulder) doesn't have an at-bat or innings threshold to reach on his rehab assignment before rejoining the Astros, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

"We kind of leave that up to Mike a little bit," Baker said when asked about when the veteran outfielder will be ready. Brantley has yet to make his 2023 debut while recovering from right shoulder labrum surgery he underwent in August, and he's played three rehab games thus far for Triple-A Sugar Land. Assuming no setbacks, it seems likely that Brantley is up with the Astros in the early part of May.

Winker isn't starting Friday against the Angels.

Winker holds a .699 OPS against lefties since 2021, so he will begin Friday's contest in the dugout against Tyler Anderson. Rowdy Tellez will instead serve as Milwaukee's designated hitter, allowing Luke Voit to start at first base and bat sixth.

Alvarez (neck) is out of the lineup again Friday versus the Phillies, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez hasn't appeared in a game since last Sunday due to a lingering neck injury, but the fact that the Astros have yet to place him on the IL suggests that there have been recent signs of progress. Rylan Bannon will serve as the DH and bat eighth Friday in the series opener of this World Series rematch with Philadelphia. Corey Julks is in left field and hitting sixth.

Torrens was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 26-year-old backstop put together a .618 OPS across 22 plate appearances and becomes a roster casualty following the reinstatement of Cody Bellinger from the paternity list Friday. Torrens could draw interest from teams in search of organizational depth behind the plate.

Vogelbach isn't starting Friday against Atlanta.

Atlanta will begin the game with the left-handed Max Fried on the bump, so the left-handed bat of Vogelbach will sit out Friday's contest. Mark Canha will instead serve as the Mets' DH, and Tommy Pham will start in left field while batting seventh.

Reyes is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Twins, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Reyes will sit for the second time in three games Friday, heading to the bench after he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Thursday's loss. The slugger has now gone hitless in 13 at-bats since he returned from the paternity list Monday. Vinnie Pasquantino will take over at designated hitter while Nick Pratto starts at first base and bats sixth against Minnesota.

Martinez (back) isn't expected to return to the lineup Friday versus the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Martinez is in line to miss a fourth consecutive game while he continues to experience discomfort on the left side of his lower back. It's possible he will undergo an MRI, at which point the team would have a better idea as to when he might be ready to play again. Will Smith (concussion) is expected to come off the 7-day injured list to serve as the club's designated hitter Friday.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.

McCutchen is already halfway to his total of eight stolen bases from last season, when he needed 134 games to get there. The veteran outfielder has hit safely in four straight games, going 4-for-16 with a home run and four RBI in that span. McCutchen has gotten off to a nice start in his return to Pittsburgh. He's now slashing .272/.371/.506 with five homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored through 97 plate appearances.