MLB Player News

Olson went 1-for-1 with a solo homer in Saturday's win over the Rangers.

Olson replaced Mark Canha in the top of the seventh inning with the game tied 6-6, and the first baseman proceeded to give the A's the lead in the bottom half of the frame with his solo shot off Chris Martin. It's been a bit of an underwhelming season for Olson after he unleashed 24 homers in 59 games last year, though he's still hitting a respectable .239/.323/.445 with 25 homers in 143 contests.

Tellez went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo homer in Saturday's loss to the Indians.

Tellez went back-to-back with Randal Grichuk in the fifth inning, marking his first major-league homer in what was his fourth game. The Blue Jays seem determined to get the rookie at-bats down the stretch, as he's now started three consecutive games, going 7-for-13 with five doubles and a homer in those appearances.

Votto went 1-for-2 with a walk and a grand slam in Saturday's win over the Padres.

Votto capped a seven-run second inning with his two-out grand slam off Robbie Erlin. The homer was his first since July 9 and just his 10th of the season after he hit 36 in 2017. He's now hitting .283/.421/.416 over 128 games this season.

Smith exited Saturday's game against the Phillies with a tight left groin, Wayne Randazzo of 710 WOR reports.

Smith was 0-for-2 with a walk before he was replaced prior to the sixth inning. He figures to be further evaluated Sunday, but consider him day-to-day in the meantime.

Bell went 1-for-2 with two runs, two walks and a solo home run in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Marlins.

Bell was 0-for-13 in his last four games before the series against the Marlins, but now has home runs in back-to-back games. The 26-year-old has a .256/.349/.404 slash line with 10 home runs and 57 RBI in 433 at-bats this season.

Abreu (abdomen) participated in live batting practice and fielded grounders prior to Saturday's game against the Angels, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Abreu was hoping to return at some point this weekend as his recovery from surgery has gone smoothly, and he could still be activated for Sunday's series finale. The White Sox could very well play things safe and wait until Monday at Kansas City to return the 31-year-old from the disabled list.

Shaw is not starting Saturday against southpaw Gio Gonzalez and the Brewers.

Shaw has gone just 1-for-17 in his first seven big-league games. Hunter Pence will get the start in left field Saturday.

Olson is not in the lineup against the Rangers on Saturday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Olson will receive a breather with left-hander Yohander Mendez on the mound for Texas. Mark Canha will draw a start at first base and bat seventh in Olson's absence.

Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies.

It's only his third big-league homer of the season, but two of them have come in only 11 at-bats since Aug. 18. Playing time has been somewhat inexplicably tough to come by for the 23-year-old, as veterans like Austin Jackson and Jay Bruce remain ahead of him on the depth chart even though the Mets have nothing to play for but the future, but Smith's recent flashes of power might earn him more starts over the remaining September schedule.

Hoskins went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-3 win over the Mets.

He'd been mired in a 2-for-27 slump over his last eight games, but Hoskins made his 28th homer of the season count, breaking a 3-3 tie with his eighth-inning shot. Half of those home runs have come in 45 games since the All-Star break, but his .235/.344/.542 slash line over that stretch is still a step backwards from his breakout 2017.