MLB Player News

Stanton (Achilles) is hitting third while serving as the designated hitter Thursday against the Athletics.

Stanton was activated from the injured list earlier Thursday and will immediately re-enter the lineup. Though he's split time fairly evenly between right field and designated hitter throughout the season, Stanton will likely be given light defensive duties for the foreseeable future. DJ LeMahieu was forced to the bench Thursday as the Yankees shuffled their lineup for Stanton's return.

Stanton (Achilles) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday.

Stanton was expected to rejoin the Yankees on Thursday since he's been on a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset over the last few days. The 32-year-old went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts over two Double-A games, but more importantly he feels healthy after the rehab games. Stanton will likely serve as the primary designated hitter now that he's back on the active roster as the Yankees attempt to ease him back into action after missing just under a month.

Belt will undergo an MRI on his inflamed right knee Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

According to Danny Emerman of KNBR.com, Belt's right knee injury has been described as a chronic concern that could threaten the longevity of his career. Belt has required multiple surgeries on the knee during his 12-year career and has already had the knee drained three times this season alone. For the time being, the Giants are hoping the MRI will reveal nothing concerning, keeping the door open for Belt to play again in 2022 if his knee responds well to rest. While Belt is out of action, Wilmer Flores will likely serve as the Giants' primary option at first base.

Harper (thumb) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list Friday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper isn't playing at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Thursday, but he'll go through a workout and is set to be activated by the Phillies ahead of Friday's series opener against the Pirates. The 29-year-old performed well over two games during his rehab assignment, going 5-for-8 with two home runs, two doubles, six RBI and three runs. Harper is unlikely to play in the outfield down the stretch but should serve as the Phillies' everyday designated hitter once reinstated to the active roster.

Jimenez (elbow) is starting Thursday against the Orioles, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Jimenez didn't play Wednesday after he was hit in the elbow by a pitch Tuesday, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth during Thursday's series finale in Baltimore. The 25-year-old has hit .350 with a home run, three doubles, six runs and six RBI over his last 12 games.

Canha is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's matchup with the Rockies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Canha will get a day off after he went 5-for-14 with two homers, five RBI and three runs scored while starting the last four games. Tyler Naquin will take over in left field and bat seventh in the series opener.

The Phillies could activate Harper (thumb) from the 60-day injured list Thursday or Friday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

When Harper was cleared to begin a rehab assignment Tuesday at Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the expectation was that he would remain in the minors through the weekend while working to regain his timing at the plate following a two-month layoff from game action. However, he's looked more than ready to rejoin the Phillies based on how he's performed in his first two games at Lehigh Valley, as he's produced four extra-base hits (two home runs and two doubles) while striking out just once in 10 plate appearances. Since the Phillies have already seemed to rule out the possibility of Harper playing the outfield this season after he recently ended his throwing program when he experienced soreness in his sprained right elbow, the 29-year-old likely won't get much benefit from playing full games in the minors now that he's seemingly already dialed in at the plate. His potential return in the next day or two would provide a major lift for a Phillies squad that currently has a hold on one of the National League's three available wild-card spots.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a walk in a loss to the Nationals on Wednesday.

Winker produced the only multi-hit effort of the afternoon for the Mariners, his third such tally of August. The veteran outfielder has shown some life at the plate over the last week-plus of what has been a lackluster season, putting together a .269/.375/.500 slash line that includes two home runs, six RBI and matching 15.6 percent walk and strikeout rates across the last eight games.

The Angels selected Ford's contract from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday, and he'll start at first base and bat cleanup in the Los Angeles' series finale with the Rays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Infielder Phil Gosselin was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Ford, who joined the Angels on a minor-league deal last week following his release from Atlanta. Over 369 career plate appearances in the majors, Ford owns a .192/.304/.391 slash line with 17 home runs. He'll step into the lineup for Jared Walsh, who is on the bench Thursday and could be in danger of losing playing time to Ford in light of prolonged slide at the plate.

Choi is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Angels, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

With left-hander Patrick Sandoval on the mound Thursday, Choi will ride the pine for the fifth time in six games. Harold Ramirez will shift to first base while Jose Siri enters the lineup in center field after some shuffling versus Los Angeles.