MLB Player News
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Paul Goldschmidt 1B | STL
Cardinals' Paul Goldschmidt: Smacks 22nd homer
Goldschmidt went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's 10-8 loss to the Rockies.
Goldschmidt went back-to-back with Lars Nootbaar in the first inning. This long ball ended a 19-game homer drought for Goldschmidt, who hit just .197 (13-for-66) in that span. The first baseman is up to 22 homers on the year, but his .241/.299/.403 slash line represents career-low numbers across the board. He's added 62 RBI, 69 runs scored and 11 stolen bases across 152 games.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Exits Thursday's game
Freeman exited Thursday's game against the Padres with an apparent ankle injury, Kirsten Watson of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.
Freeman was attempting to avoid a tag at first base and rolled his ankle in the process. He walked off the field under his own power but immediately went to the clubhouse. The severity of the issue is unclear, though it wouldn't be a surprise for the Dodgers to rest him in hopes of a postseason return -- particularly if they can clinch the NL West on Thursday.
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Christian Walker 1B | ARI
Diamondbacks' Christian Walker: Starts rally in win
Walker went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Giants.
The Diamondbacks, who entered the night losers of their last three, were down early when Walker doubled to lead off the second inning and scored the first of three Arizona runs in the frame. He also singled home a run in the fourth. With the Diamondbacks still needing to secure a postseason bid, Walker should be a lineup regular in this weekend's series against the Padres.
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Clobbers three-run shot
Smith went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit three-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Giants.
Smith didn't enter the game until the bottom of the eighth when he was brought in to pinch hit for Randal Grichuk with two runners on. The outfielder then came through in a big way, launching a three-run home run off Spencer Bivens on the third pitch he saw to extend Arizona's lead to six runs. The long ball was Smith's ninth on the campaign and his sixth in the month of September, where he's batting .310 with 12 extra-base hits, 19 RBI and 13 runs scored.
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Jake Burger 3B | MIA
Marlins' Jake Burger: Knocks 29th long ball
Burger went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in a loss to the Twins on Wednesday.
Miami got off to a fiery start Wednesday, as Burger's three-run homer was one of five straight baserunners for the team to open the contest. However, the Marlins didn't score over the remaining eight frames, and Burger struck out in three of his remaining four at-bats (though he also recorded a double). The slugger has gone deep four times in his past eight games and needs one more long ball to reach 30 for the second straight season.
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Losing work to Gurriel
Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.
On the bench for a second straight matchup with a right-handed pitcher, Smith looks to have moved back into a reserve role after having occupied a strong-side platoon role in left field for much of the previous two weeks. Smith's playing time will likely be more sparse moving forward now that top left fielder Lourdes Gurriel is healthy again after missing time with a calf strain.
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Michael Busch 3B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Remaining out Wednesday
Busch (triceps) isn't in the Cubs' lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.
Busch departed Tuesday's game early after getting hit in the arm by a pitch, and he'll now take a day off to recover during Wednesday's series finale. His absence will put Cody Bellinger at first base, opening up right field for Kevin Alcantara to make his MLB debut while batting ninth.
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Juan Yepez LF | WAS
Nationals' Juan Yepez: Not in Wednesday's lineup
Yepez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Andres Chaparro (personal) is away on paternity leave, but Luis Garcia will get another start at designated hitter, which leaves no room in the lineup for Yepez. Yepez had started seven of the previous eight contests, although he's seen his playing time drop in September on the whole.
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Jake Cronenworth 1B | SD
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Goes deep Tuesday
Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a double and three RBI in Tuesday's win over the Dodgers.
Cronenworth powered the San Diego offense with a two-run blast in the second inning and an RBI double in the fourth. He's now got two multi-hit efforts over his last four games and his home run was his first of the month. It's been a struggle overall in September for Cronenworth, who's now slashing just .206/.342/.286 with three extra-base hits, three RBI, five runs, a steal and a 13:14 BB:K in 77 plate appearances this month.