MLB Player News
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Expected back Friday
Freeman (finger) is expected to return to the Dodgers' lineup Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Freeman has been dealing with a hairline fracture in his finger since Aug. 17 and has missed the Dodgers' last three games. His availability moving forward is dependent on pail tolerance, so Freeman may bow out of the lineup more often than typical down the stretch.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Out of Thursday's lineup
Freeman (finger) isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game against Baltimore, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.
Freeman will miss his third start in a row as he continues to recover from a hairline fracture in his right middle finger that he sustained Aug. 17. His absence will allow Enrique Hernandez to pick up another start at first base and bat sixth Thursday.
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Nick Kurtz 1B | ATH
Athletics' Nick Kurtz: Out with hamstring strain
Double-A Midland placed Kurtz on the 7-day injured list Aug. 25 due to a hamstring strain, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
There is no timetable for Kurtz's return, and given how late in the year it is, it's possible we won't see him again until 2025. Prior to the injury, Kurtz was arguably the most impressive hitter from this year's draft, hitting .368 with four home runs and more walks (12) than strikeouts (10) in 11 games split across Single-A and Double-A. Rib and shoulder injuries cost Kurtz time while at Wake Forrest.
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Jake Bauers RF | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: Resting against righty
Bauers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.
Bauers had started at either first base or designated hitter in each of the Brewers' previous three matchups with right-handers, but after sitting against Giants lefty Kyle Harrison on Wednesday, Bauers will remain on the bench for the series finale while righty Hayden Birdsong takes the hill for San Francisco. Rhys Hoskins will pick up the start at first base Thursday, and William Contreras will get a day off behind the plate and serve as the Brewers' DH.
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Connor Joe RF | SEA
Pirates' Connor Joe: Slugs ninth homer
Joe went 3-for-4 with a solo home run two RBI and two walks Wednesday against the Cubs.
He got the start in right field in place of Bryan De La Cruz, and Joe delivered his second home run in his last three appearances. Though his playing time has come primarily against lefties, Rowdy Tellez (undisclosed) exited Wednesday's game early, and Joe would be the likely replacement if Tellez is out for an extended period.
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Seth Brown LF | ATH
Athletics' Seth Brown: Goes yard twice in win
Brown went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI in Wednesday's 9-6 win over the Reds.
He took former teammate Sam Moll deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning before clubbing a game-winning, three-run homer off Emilio Pagan in the eighth. Brown snapped a 16-game power drought with the performance, but in 34 contests since returning to the majors just before the All-Star break, he's slashing an impressive .300/.369/.540 with seven home runs, 13 runs and 19 RBI. Tyler Soderstrom (wrist) is making progress in his recovery but isn't expected to be back in the lineup until at least mid-September, giving Brown more time to rack up production as Oakland's primary option at first base before he gets some competition for at-bats against right-handed pitching.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Reds' Dominic Smith: Makes fourth straight start
Smith started at first base and went 0-for-2 in Wednesday's 9-6 loss to Oakland.
Smith made his fourth consecutive start and fifth in six games since joining the Reds. All of those starts have come against right-handers, either at first base or designated hitter. A regular role is nice, but Smith is just 2-for-16 with eight strikeouts since signing with the team.
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Josh Naylor 1B | SEA
Guardians' Josh Naylor: Three hits, two RBI in win
Naylor went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Royals.
Naylor plated a run in the first inning on a fielder's choice before adding an RBI single in the seventh as part of a four-run frame. This was his first multi-hit effort since Aug. 12 -- over 14 games in between, he hit a paltry .100 with two home runs and five RBI. The first baseman is at a .237/.319/.460 slash line with 28 homers, 94 RBI, 72 runs scored, 20 doubles and five stolen bases over 126 contests this season.
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Jake Cronenworth 1B | SD
Padres' Jake Cronenworth: Steals home in loss
Cronenworth went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals.
Cronenworth stole home as Manny Machado swiped second, with the throw from St. Louis catcher Pedro Pages going into center field. Speed typically isn't a big part of Cronenworth's game -- he has four steals on six attempts this year, though two of them have come over his last nine games. The infielder is now at a .245/.321/.399 slash line with 15 home runs, 75 RBI, 64 runs scored, 24 doubles and three triples over 129 contests this season.