With the Nationals facing lefty Cole Hamels on Sunday, Hairston got a start in left field and went 1-for-3.

Bryce Harper continues to scuffle at the plate, which could open up a bit of playing time in left field for the Nats' bench brigade when manager Matt Williams feels like Harper needs a mental break. Top prospect Steve Souza got called up after Sunday's game though, and may move past Hairston to the top of the food chain for those at-bats.

Scott Hairston hit his first homer of the year Saturday in his lone at-bat off the bench against the Rangers.

Even with Bryce Harper out, Hairston hasn't started a game in 15 days. He's hitting .450 this year, but that's just in 20 at-bats, a very low total even after factoring in that he spent a month on the DL with a strained oblique.

Nationals activated OF Scott Hairston from the 15-day disabled list.

Hairston missed nearly four weeks with a strained left oblique. He could get a decent amount of playing time with Bryce Harper (thumb) out, but the 33-year-old outfielder is not a very attractive fantasy option.

Scott Hairtson (oblique) could be activated Monday.

Hairston went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in a rehab game Sunday at Triple-A Syracuse, but he played all nine innings defensively and reported no discomfort. The veteran outfielder has been sidelined since April 6 with a strained left oblique. Steven Souza, Jr. will likely be optioned to the minors to open up a roster spot.

Scott Hairston (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse this week.

Hairston will work out at extended spring training for 2-3 days before he starts playing in games. It sounds like he could be back on the Nationals' bench as soon as next weekend.

Scott Hairston (oblique) was able to take on-field batting practice for the first time Wednesday.

Hairston reported no discomfort during or after the BP session and should soon be cleared for a minor league rehab assignment. The veteran is on track to rejoin the Nationals' bench at some point in early May.

Scott Hairston (oblique) has been swinging off a tee for the past few days.

Hairston, out since early April with a strained left oblique, hopes to face live pitching in batting practice Monday for the first time since the injury. Barring any setbacks, he's likely on track to return in early May.

Scott Hairston was ejected in the ninth inning of Saturday's game for arguing balls and strikes.

It was the third ejection of the game for the Nats, who had Stephen Strasburg and manager Davey Johnson thrown out in the second inning. Hairston was 1-for-5 with three strikeouts, so frustration likely came into play for the 33-year-old. Bryce Harper replaced him in the outfield for the bottom of the ninth inning.

Nationals acquired OF Scott Hairston from the Cubs for RHP Ivan Pinyero.

Hairston gives the Nats a high-quality fourth outfielder and bench bat. The 33-year-old was batting just .172 with a .232 on-base percentage in 52 games this season for Chicago, but he slugged 20 homers alongside a decent .803 OPS in 2012 with the Mets. Hairston is making $2.5 million this summer and owed $2.5 million in 2014.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Nationals have acquired Scott Hairston from the Cubs.

The full details of the trade aren't yet available, but the Cubs will receive a minor league pitcher in return. Hairston, 33, is batting just .163/.225/.398 over 111 plate appearances and should serve as a veteran fourth outfielder with the Nationals. He's under contract for $2.5 million this season and signed through 2014.

Making his first appearance in 12 days, Scott Hairston homered to give the Cubs their only two runs on Friday.

Hairston is in the first year of a two-year deal, but his slow start had gotten him glued to Dale Sveum's bench; not only was his start today his first since June 21, but it was his first appearance of any sort since June 23. That's pretty ridiculous, of course. Hairston entered the day hitting .160, but it was in just 94 at-bats. He's worth more playing time than the Cubs have given him.

Scott Hairston hit his third career grand slam Friday off the Diamondbacks' Wade Miley.

Taking on a lesser role in the Cubs outfield than he's used to, Hairston has struggled mightily this year, hitting .162 in 68 at-bats. He could get additional playing time if one of the outfielders ahead of him is traded, but he has little NL-only value at the moment.

Scott Hairston blasted a solo home run, accounting for all of the Cubs' offense in Friday's loss to the Braves.

He finished the night 1-for-3. Hairston, a notorious lefty killer, got the best of Mike Minor in the fifth inning of this one. Despite being on the short side of a platoon in the Cubs' offense, he still holds value in leagues that allow daily changes when deployed correctly.

Scott Hairston is in Wednesday's lineup against the Pirates.

Nate Schierholtz played right field for Monday's season opener against right-hander A.J. Burnett, but Hairston will get the start Tuesday with the left-hander Wandy Rodriguez on the hill for Pittsburgh. Hairston is coming off a career-high 20 homers last season, but being on the short side of a platoon will limit his fantasy value.

Cubs signed OF Scott Hairston to a two-year, $5 million contract.

The deal was reported last month and is now finalized. Hairston, who can earn an additional $1 million more in incentives, will serve on the short side of a platoon with Nate Schierholtz in right field. The Cubs have some trade candidates in their outfield, though, so he could conceivable wind up playing regularly at some point.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Scott Hairston is guaranteed $5 million as part of his two-year contract with the Cubs.

The deal was agreed to last week and has yet to be officially announced. Per Heyman, Hairston could make an additional $1 million in performance bonuses. Barring a trade, the veteran outfielder will serve on the short side of a platoon with Nate Schierholtz in right field.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs have signed Scott Hairston to a two-year contract.

The deal is pending a physical. It's another surprising offseason addition for the Cubs, who have notably improved their roster, but not to the point that they can realistically be considered contenders. It's possible Theo Epstein and Co. are gathering assets in hopes of bartering them at the trade deadline. Hairston figures to platoon in right field with Nate Schierholtz and could take over in left if Alfonso Soriano is dealt.

According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the Mets offered Scott Hairston a one-year, $2 million contract.

This was the club's counter-offer after Hairston asked for a two-year, $8 million deal. The two sides are currently at a stalemate, though the veteran outfielder is expected to decide on a team by the end of this week. Hairston earned $1.1 million last season while hitting .263/.299/.504 with a career-high 20 homers. The Yankees, Cubs and Phillies are among the other teams who have expressed interest.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that Scott Hairston wanted a two-year, $8 million contract from the Mets.

The Mets "balked" at that request, according to Heyman's source. Hairston has also been linked this offseason to the Yankees and Phillies, and is expected to decide on a team by the end of this week. The 32-year-old outfielder batted .263/.299/.504 with 20 home runs and 57 RBI in 134 games last season for the Mets.

Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM reports that Scott Hairston is expected to decide where to sign this week.

A recent report suggested that Hairston was deciding between the Mets and the Yankees, though the Phillies have also been mentioned as a possibility. The Yankees are reportedly reluctant to give Hairston a two-year deal, but the Mets could be willing to go there. They also offer a chance at regular playing time.