MLB Player News
-
Enrique Hernandez SS | LAD
Dodgers' Enrique Hernandez: Sitting after four straight starts
Hernandez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.
Hernandez will head to the bench Sunday after he had started in each of the last four games -- three at third base, one at first base -- while going 4-for-14 with three RBI and two runs. The Dodgers should be able to find regular room for Hernandez in the lineup against left-handed pitching during the final month of the season, but the right-handed-hitting utility player could find playing time versus righties more difficult to come by in September. Los Angeles is expected to get Hyeseong Kim (shoulder) back from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh, and Tommy Edman (ankle) looks to be on the cusp of a rehab assignment and will soon give the Dodgers another utility option.
-
Warming Bernabel 3B | COL
Rockies' Warming Bernabel: Remaining on bench Sunday
Bernabel (knee/quadriceps) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
Bernabel exited Saturday's 4-3 loss due to a knee and quad bruise, and he'll be held out of the lineup for the series finale as a result. The 23-year-old should be considered day-to-day while Kyle Farmer receives a start at first base.
-
Eric Wagaman 1B | MIN
Marlins' Eric Wagaman: On bench against righty
Wagaman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
Wagaman has heated up in August with an .868 OPS over 23 games, but he's seen only 74 plate appearances on the month and is still stuck in a part-time role. He'll hit the bench for the second time in the Marlins' last three matchups against right-handers, but Wagaman should have a regular spot in the lineup versus left-handed pitching.
-
Carlos Santana 1B | CHC
Cubs' Carlos Santana: Catches on with Cubs
Santana agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Santana won't join the Cubs ahead of Sunday's game in Colorado, but he's expected to be activated prior to Monday's home game versus Atlanta. The 39-year-old switch hitter was cut loose by the Guardians on Thursday after he had produced a career-worst .649 OPS with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The Cubs won't have regular playing time available for Santana, but he could prove to be an upgrade over Justin Turner (.598 OPS in 166 plate appearances) as the short-side platoon mate at first base for the left-handed-hitting Michael Busch.
-
Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Triples, scores in win
Busch went 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.
Busch tallied his second straight two-hit game at Coors Field, and he also delivered his fourth triple of the season in the victory. The Chicago first baseman continues to feast against right-handed pitching, posting a .279/.359/.547 slash line in 362 at-bats. Due to his strong platoon splits, Busch is the Cubs' regular leadoff man against righties, but he often hits the bench against southpaws.
-
Willson Contreras C | BOS
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Hits 20th homer in win
Contreras went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-2 win over the Reds.
Contreras notched his sixth 20-homer season with a 431-foot blast in the seventh inning. The homer snapped a 1-for-21 skid over six games, coming after the 33-year-old went deep in his previous three contests between Aug. 20 and 22. On the year, he's slashing .253/.338/.449 with 20 long balls, 74 RBI, 66 runs scored and four steals across 526 plate appearances.
-
Warming Bernabel 3B | COL
Rockies' Warming Bernabel: Exits early with knee, quad bruise
Bernabel was removed from Saturday's game against the Cubs due to a left knee and quad bruise, Kevin Henry of The Denver Gazette reports.
Bernabel's injury appears to have occurred when he fouled a ball off his knee in the second inning. He subsequently singled and came around to score but was replaced at first base by Orlando Arcia in the fourth frame. The fact that Bernabel was initially able to remain in the game is a good sign that he's not dealing with a serious injury, but he should be considered day-to-day for the time being.
-
Troy Johnston RF | COL
Marlins' Troy Johnston: Three hits in Friday's loss
Johnston went 3-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and an RBI in Friday's loss to the Mets.
Starting in left field and batting seventh, Johnston delivered his fourth multi-hit performance in the last nine games, a stretch in which he's batting .480 (12-for-25) with three runs and four RBI. The 28-year-old has emerged as the Marlins' preferred option in left field against right-handed pitching while still occasionally spotting in at first base or right field, a role he could fill until Kyle Stowers (oblique) gets healthy.
-
Tyler Locklear 3B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Tyler Locklear: More playing time coming
Locklear started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Friday's 3-0 win over the Dodgers.
The news that Pavin Smith (quadriceps) landed on the 10-day injured list Friday opens the door for Locklear to see more playing time. The righty-hitting first baseman was in Friday's starting nine against a left-hander (Blake Snell), which is normal, and manager Torey Lovullo told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports that Locklear's role will expand for him to face certain right-handers as well. Utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas, a switch hitter, may also play against righties.
-
Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Giants' Dominic Smith: Knocks homer in Friday's win
Smith went 2-for-3 with a home run, four total RBI and one walk in Friday's 15-8 win over the Orioles.
Smith continues to play well in a strong-side platoon role at first base. He's 22-for-71 (.310) with six extra-base hits and 15 RBI over 21 contests in August, though his homer Friday was his first since Aug. 2. The first baseman is up to a .284/.339/.414 slash line with four homers, 27 RBI, 21 runs scored, 10 doubles and two stolen bases across 54 games. Smith will likely continue to share first base with Rafael Devers, who is usually at the position when the Giants are facing a left-handed pitcher.