MLB Player News

Stanton is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Stanton started the past four games and will take a seat after he went 4-for-16 with a home run, a double, three RBI and six strikeouts during that stretch. Willie Calhoun will bat sixth as the designated hitter in Sunday's series finale.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters Saturday that Harper (elbow) may not take part in a rehab assignment in the minor leagues, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper echoed those sentiments in a conversation with Lauber, noting that he believes he can get his timing down without necessarily reporting to the minors. The two-time MVP is working back from Tommy John surgery, and it's been recently reported that he'll work at first base in an attempt to get on the field quickly, though his first games this season will almost definitely be as the designated hitter. Whether Harper goes on a rehab assignment or not, it seems likely that the 30-year-old star will be back with the Phillies and helping fantasy teams in the summer months as long as there are not setbacks.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a go-ahead two-run home run in the 10th inning of Saturday's victory over St. Louis.

With the score tied at 3-3 in the 10th, McCutchen broke the knot with a two-run shot off Jordan Hicks. The 36-year-old outfielder has gone deep twice in his return season to the Bucs while driving in six runs over 14 games to go along with three stolen bases. It's a small sample, but after struggling to a .237 average and .700 OPS with the Brewers in 2022, it's encouraging to see McCutchen get off to a strong start in 2023.

Brantley (shoulder) took live batting practice Friday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley continues to ramp up into baseball activities as he nears the end of his recovery from right shoulder labrum repair surgery last August. He could soon begin taking at-bats in simulated games and is on track to join the Astros around the first week of May.

Winker (illness) is back in the starting lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Winker will serve as the Brewers' designated hitter and bat second after missing five straight games because of an illness. He's tallied seven RBI in eight games when healthy this year.

Soler (back) remains out of the lineup Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.

Soler is considered day-to-day with lower-back tightness. Bryan De La Cruz, Jazz Chisholm and Jesus Sanchez will start across the outfield. Avisail Garcia is taking a turn as the designated hitter.

Choi was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 14, with a left Achilles strain.

It was originally labeled as posterior ankle discomfort, but further testing has revealed the Achilles strain. There is no timetable for Cjoi's return. Tucupita Marcano is up from Triple-A Indianapolis to provide the Pirates with some infield depth.

Pederson was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 12, with right wrist inflammation, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The writing was on the wall that Pederson would need an extended period of rest after he received a cortisone shot Wednesday for this lingering wrist issue. Matt Beaty is up from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

Belt is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rays.

Belt has gotten it going a bit after a dreadful start to the season, going 4-for-10 with two doubles and an RBI over his last three games. He'll start out on the bench Saturday with Tampa Bay lining up a bullpen game. Alejandro Kirk is the designated hitter and Danny Jansen is catching Saturday.

Rooker went 2-for-5 with an RBI infield single and a solo home run in a loss to the Mets on Friday.

Rooker's long-ball barrage continued with a 401-foot shot to center field in the sixth inning that served as his fourth homer in the last three games. The 28-year-old journeyman now boasts a five-game hitting streak as well, one that includes four consecutive two-hit efforts and has pushed his early slash line to a stellar .346/.379/.808 across 29 plate appearances.