MLB Player News

Candelario went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Brewers.

Candelario was reinstated from the injured list Wednesday after missing a few weeks with a back strain, and Friday's home run was his first hit since returning. He's been solid this year with an .807 OPS, 22 home runs and 38 doubles, and the Cubs will need the infielder to produce over their final two games if they want to sneak into the playoff field.

Dalbec went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in Friday's 3-0 win over Baltimore.

Dalbec continues to fill a spot in the lineup at first base with Triston Casas (shoulder) done for the season. Dalbec hit safely in the first five games after being called up from Triple-A Worcester, but he's gone the other the way since. The corner infielder is 1-for-16 with 10 strikeouts over his last five contests.

Steer went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in Friday's 19-2 win over St. Louis.

Steer launched a solo home run in the second inning -- he was one of six members of the starting lineup to go deep in a win that kept the Reds' playoff hopes alive. He's hit safely in 12 of the last 13 games, going 16-for-49 (.327) with nine extra-base hits, eight RBI and seven runs scored. The home run was Steer's 23rd over 155 games.

Loftin went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 12-5 win over the Yankees.

Loftin had started to skid a bit, going 2-for-14 over his previous five games before turning things around Friday. The infielder has logged two steals over his first 19 contests in the majors after posting seven steals in 88 minor-league games this season. His best attribute so far has been steady hitting -- he's batting .323 with an .803 OPS, no home runs, 10 RBI, 10 runs scored, five doubles and a triple over 68 plate appearances.

France went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-0 win over the Rangers.

After recently snapping a 36-game homer drought, France has gone deep twice in his last four contests. The first baseman's blast Friday opened the scoring in the third inning. He's at 12 homers, 58 RBI, 79 runs scored, one stolen base, 32 doubles and a .250/.336/.367 slash line through 156 games this season.

Flores went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Flores was the only Giant to get a hit in the game, knocking an RBI single in the first inning and a solo home run in the third, both off Lance Lynn. Prior to Friday, Flores had gone just 2-for-18 over his last six games. The infielder has been one of the Giants' few steady hitters with a .284/.355/.510 slash line, 23 homers, 59 RBI, 51 runs scored and 22 doubles over 125 games this season.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and three total runs scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Freeman has powered up late in the season with three homers over his last four games. He's hitting .310 in September with four homers and eight doubles across 26 games, giving him 29 long balls and 59 two-baggers for the season. The first baseman has added an impressive .334/.412/.572 slash line with 102 RBI, 131 runs scored, 23 stolen bases and two triples through 159 contests overall.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 19-2 win over the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand launched his homer as part of the Reds' seven-run fourth inning. It was one of the team's six home runs in the contest. The rookie slugger has gone deep 13 times, including seven times over his last 10 games. Encarnacion-Strand is now slashing .274/.328/.488 with 37 RBI and 20 extra-base hits through 232 plate appearances.

Kirilloff is absent from the lineup Friday at Colorado.

Donovan Solano will play first base and bat leadoff as the Twins take on Rockies left-hander Ty Blach. Kirilloff, a left-handed hitter, has slashed just .125/.232/.250 in 56 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.

Schanuel (knee) is back in the lineup Friday against the Athletics.

Schanuel will start at first base and bat leadoff versus left-hander Ken Waldichuk after missing two straight games because of knee tightness. The 21-year-old has slashed .284/.407/.343 since being promoted to the majors in mid-August, reaching base in all 27 games that he's appeared in so far.