MLB Player News

Diaz (hamstring) went through what manager Kevin Cash labeled a "lighter day" of workouts Saturday, and optimism remains high for his availability early in the postseason, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Diaz ran the bases and hit live pitching Friday, and although he wasn't as active Saturday, he remains on track to suit up sooner rather than later. Cash noted Diaz and fellow injured infielder Ji-Man Choi will have a more comprehensive workout again Monday, at which point there will be more clarity on both players for a postseason that begins Tuesday. Diaz will have some rust to work off when he does return, considering he last saw game action Aug. 31.

Smith won't start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Bergen Record reports.

Smith crashed into the wall in left field during the first game of the twin bill, but he remained in the game after being examined by trainers. He'll be available off the bench for the nightcap, but he'll get a breather after the Mets were eliminated from postseason contention.

Wade was optioned to the Twins' alternate training site Saturday.

Wade's latest stint on the big-league roster lasted three weeks. He got into nine games, posting a .713 OPS. Luis Arraez (knee/ankle) returned from the injured list in a corresponding move.

Naylor isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates.

Naylor went 1-for-4 over the past two games, and he'll get a breather even with a right-hander (Joe Musgrove) on the mound for Pittsburgh. Jordan Luplow will take over in left field Saturday.

Cabrera isn't starting Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets.

Cabrera's playing time has been limited recently as he's now started just one of the last four games. Brock Holt will shift to first base for the matinee with Josh Harrison taking over as the third baseman.

Cooper went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in a 4-3 win over the Yankees on Friday.

Cooper wasted no time getting going as he connected with the first pitch he saw to put the Marlins up 3-0 in the first. The 29-year-old has played a major role in Miami's unexpected success this season, hitting .287/.359/.513 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 128 plate appearances.

Dalbec started at third base and went 1-for-3 with two walks and an RBI in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Braves.

Dalbec is projected as Boston's everyday first baseman in 2021, but it should be remembered he came up through the system as a very capable defensive third baseman. Rafael Devers is Boston's starter at the hot corner, but he's struggled on defense. He eventually entered Friday's game and committed his 14th error. After showing improvement with his glove in 2019, Devers has regressed this season. It's likely the Red Sox will work on Devers' fielding issues, but they may eventually consider swapping their corner infielders.

Flores went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer in Friday's 6-5 loss to the Padres.

Flores made the most of his one hit during Game 2 of the twin bill, taking Drew Pomeranz deep to notch his 11th home run of the season. Flores has been struggling of late, hitting just .171 in his last 10 games, but he's homered twice in that span.

Walker went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs in Friday's win during Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Rockies.

Walker started the scoring off Friday with his home run in the bottom of the third inning as he hit his first homer since Sept. 8. The 29-year-old now has a .819 OPS with seven home runs and 34 RBI this year.

Freeman went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings win over the Red Sox.

Freeman pinch hit for Tyler Flowers in the ninth inning and drew a walk, but couldn't come around to break the tie. In the 11th, he took matters into his own hands with a walkoff two-run shot off Red Sox reliever Jeffrey Springs. That was Freeman's 13th homer of the year, to go with 53 RBI, 50 runs scored, two stolen bases and a .341/.461/.644 slash line through 58 games.