MLB Player News

Harper has decreased swelling in his forearm but isn't ready to be activated from the injured list, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The 28-year-old was eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll need more than the 10-day minimum to recover from a forearm contusion. Harper remains without an official timeline for his return, but based on comments from manager Joe Girardi, the outfielder is unlikely to be activated this weekend.

Brantley (hamstring) is expected to return during the Astros' upcoming series in Boston, which begins Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley is already eligible to return from the injured list, but he'll need at least a few more days before he's ready to go. Chas McCormick has handled left field in his absence, but Brantley should reclaim his everyday role as soon as he's healthy.

Choi was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left groin strain. The move is retroactive to June 3.

Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday the 31-year-old's groin issue hadn't improved after receiving treatment, so it's not a major surprise he's ending up on the injured list. Choi doesn't have an official timeline for his return, but he'll be eligible to be activated June 13. He underwent an MRI on Friday but feels better and is optimistic that he'll have a short IL stint, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports. Yandy Diaz should handle the bulk of the reps at first base in the meantime for Tampa Bay.

Ohtani will be in the Angels' offensive lineup as the starting pitcher for Friday's game against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Halos have gone back and forth between utilizing Ohtani as a hitter on the days he pitches. The two-way star did not hit in his previous two starts May 19 and May 28, but appears in line to participate on both sides of the ball Friday.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's loss to the Giants.

Pederson provided all the offense the Cubs could muster, as he socked a two-run shot off Anthony DeSclafani in the third inning. It was the outfielder's fifth long ball of the campaign, and it ended his three-game hitless streak.

Winker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Winker slammed a two-run home run off Adam Wainwright with two outs in the second inning. His 14 home runs lead the Reds and are tied for third in the National League. The 27-year-old's .348 batting average is second to teammate Nick Castellanos in all of baseball. In addition, his 1.044 OPS is third in MLB.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's victory over the Rangers.

Blackmon's fourth long ball of the season came against Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning. He actually reached base on four occasions, starting off with a hit-by-pitch in the first frame. He then singled in the sixth and knocked in a two-run double in the seventh. It was the ninth multi-hit game of the season for the 34-year-old, who got off to a slow start but seems to be heating up lately with eight hits in his last four games. Blackmon is slashing .262/.362/.407 overall.

Belt (oblique) will take batting practice Thursday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old was expected to miss 10-to-14 days with the oblique strain and is eligible to be activated this weekend, and it appears he's on schedule in his recovery. Wilmer Flores should continue seeing time at first base until Belt can return.

Choi (groin) wasn't feeling much better during the day Thursday and the team will know more about his status in the coming days, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The hope was that after getting some treatment he could be available as a pinch hitter in Thursday's game against the Yankees, but it doesn't sound like that was the case. Manager Kevin Cash said the team might know more later in the evening or Friday. In the meantime, Yandy Diaz should handle the bulk of the work at first base.

Vogelbach will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been on the bench for six of the Brewers' last seven contests, but his absences have largely been a result of Milwaukee encountering a southpaw-heavy stretch of opposing starters. He'll be back in the lineup Thursday against Arizona right-hander Jon Duplantier, and Vogelbach still looks to be locked into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Keston Hiura.