MLB Player News

Aranda is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

With lefty Martin Perez toeing the rubber for Atlanta in the afternoon tilt, the lefty-swinging Aranda will be given a day to rest. Ryan Vilade is handling first base and will bat second as the Rays try to complete a series sweep.

Murakami went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Pirates.

Murakami homered off of Luke Weaver in the eighth inning to bring him up to 31 long balls, which is tied for fifth in the American League. The Japanese slugger had a rough August during which he hit only .147 with five home runs in 28 contests, but he's already homered twice through eight games in September. On the season, the 26-year-old is slashing .210/.349/.480 with 63 RBI and 74 runs scored, but he also has 169 strikeouts in 482 plate appearances.

Morel went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two additional runs scored during the Mets' 15-14 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Morel was brought in for the second inning and filled in at first base after Brett Baty was removed due to left knee pain. Morel answered the call by belting a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Mets an 8-0 lead before driving in another run in the seventh. He's served in a depth role for the Mets since being promoted from the minors in mid-August, but Morel could see a bump in playing time if Baty were to miss time.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during the Guardians' 9-5 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday.

Lowe reduced the Guardians' deficit to four runs with a two-run long ball off Shane Baz in the sixth inning, the second home run that the Guardians hit Wednesday. Lowe has gone deep in two of his last three outings and is up to 17 home runs on the year, and he's one home run shy from matching his regular-season total in 2025. Since being acquired by the Guardians from the Reds in early August, Lowe has a .699 OPS with five home runs and 21 RBI over 117 plate appearances.

Burger went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Burger got the scoring started with a second-inning homer. It was the 26th blast of the season for the first baseman, who extended an on-base streak to six contests. He's gone 6-for-18 with seven walks, three home runs, five RBI and eight runs scored during the streak.

Freeman is working through a right knee injury that will keep him out of the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Reds on Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Manager Dave Roberts relayed to reporters Wednesday that Freeman's knee issue was part of the reason why the veteran slugger served as the designated hitter Tuesday and will be on the bench for Wednesday's contest. Per Ardaya, Roberts responded that it is "absolutely not" a possibility that Freeman goes on the injured list, indicating that the injury is a day-to-day issue. With the Dodgers off Thursday, Freeman has a good shot at returning to the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Marlins. Enrique Hernandez will start at first base Wednesday, and with Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee/neck) sidelined, Will Smith will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Freeman is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Reds on Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Freeman will get a day off after going 0-for-7 with a walk, a run scored and three strikeouts over the first two games of the series. With Shohei Ohtani (biceps/knee/neck) also sidelined, Will Smith will serve as the designated hitter while Enrique Hernandez starts at first base.

Contreras (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Portland on Friday, Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports.

Contreras took batting practice on the field before Tuesday's game against the Angels as the latest step in his recovery from a left hamstring strain. He'd been a candidate to return from the injured list for Friday's series opener against the Royals, but the Sox will instead have him play in a few tune-up games before adding him back to the active roster.

Bauers (shins) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Cubs.

It's the third straight day out of the lineup for Bauers, who has been dealing with shin splints dating back several weeks. He will attempt to return to the lineup for Friday's contest against the Reds. Andrew Vaughn is at first base, and Luis Lara will handle right field for the Brewers in the series finale.

Ortiz is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Padres.

Righty Walker Buehler will be on the bump for the Padres, marking a rare occasion in which the left-handed-hitting Ortiz is not starting against a right-handed hurler. Yohandy Morales will play first base and will bat fifth for the Nationals.