MLB Player News

Harper (elbow) will learn first base in an attempt to return to the field sooner, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

With Rhys Hoskins (knee) out for the season and Darick Hall (thumb) slated to miss at least two months, Harper at first base makes some sense as it would go a long way in solving the Phillies' depth issues at first. However, Harper's new position doesn't affect his timetable for returning to Philadelphia's lineup, as he will be cleared to serve as Philly's designated hitter before getting cleared to throw and play in the outfield.

The Giants purchased the contract of Ruf from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

He's also starting Wednesday's game against the Dodgers and hitting fifth, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports. Ruf signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Saturday, returning to the organization that traded him to the Mets last summer. The 36-year-old helps the San Francisco depth with Austin Slater (hamstring) and Mitch Haniger (back/oblique) on the injured list, and he should see some at-bats for the Giants against left-handed pitching in particular.

Buxton suffered an abrasion to his forehead but otherwise avoided any injuries following a collision on the basepaths in the seventh inning of Wednesday's 3-1 win over the White Sox, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports. He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts on the day.

Buxton crashed hard and awkwardly to the ground after running into White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa, but he walked off the field without assistance and was said to be in good spirits following the game. His turn in the batting order didn't come up again the rest of the day, but manager Rocco Baldelli later said that Buxton -- who was serving as Minnesota's designated hitter -- would not have been available to hit. Buxton might get the day off during Thursday's series opener at Yankee Stadium, but he doesn't appear to be in danger of an extended absence.

Buxton hurt his head and leg in a collision with the second baseman in Wednesday's win over the White Sox and will be evaluated Thursday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli told Bally Sports North. Buxton left the field under his own power and Baldelli said he would not have batted had his spot in the lineup as the DH come up in the eighth inning.

Buxton was running to second base and collided with White Sox second baseman Lenyn Sosa and was tagged for the third out. He appeared shaken up but was able to walk off the field. It seems likely Buxton will need at least a day off to recover even if he avoided a serious injury.

Belt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Belt will get the night off after he turned in his best game of the season Tuesday, when he went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a 9-3 win. He had struck out at least twice in each of six starts prior to Tuesday.

Winker (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Winker is sitting out for the third game in a row while he continues to battle an illness. The Brewers will open a four-game set in San Diego on Thursday, and if Winker isn't feeling healthy enough to join the team for the next stop of its road trip, a stint on the 10-day injured list could come into consideration.

Ohtani is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Just as manager Phil Nevin suggested after Tuesday's 2-0 win, Ohtani is getting the day off after the two-way star went 1-for-4 at the dish while holding the Nationals to one hit and striking out six over seven scoreless innings. Mike Trout will serve as the Angels' designated hitter Wednesday while Brett Phillips covers Trout's usual spot in center field. Ohtani should be back in the lineup Friday against the Red Sox.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and two RBI in Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Dodgers.

Pederson got the Giants' scoring started in the bottom of the first inning, lining a one-out double down the right-field line off former teammate Dustin May to drive in two runs. The run-scoring double would be all the offensive support the Giants' pitching staff would need on the night, as starter Alex Wood and five relievers combined to limit the Dodgers to three hits. With southpaw Clayton Kershaw set to start for the Dodgers in the series finale Wednesday, expect the lefty-hitting Pederson to get the night off.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach will sit for the fourth time in five games, with all of his absences from the lineup coming versus left-handed starting pitchers. Tommy Pham will replace Vogelbach as the Mets' designated hitter with southpaw Blake Snell on the mound for San Diego.

Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Choi will take a seat for the matinee contest after starting each of the past four games while going 3-for-15 with a pair of solo home runs and a double. Andrew McCutchen replaces Choi as the Pirates' designated hitter.