MLB Player News

Albies may be out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Albies was held out of the lineup Saturday and may miss Sunday's action as well. The Braves appear content to sit their stars now that they've clinched the NL East, so Albies may rest several more times before the close of the season.

Hoerner went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Saturday's 9-8 loss to the Cardinals.

Hoerner connected off Ryan Helsley in the sixth inning to give the Cubs a 6-5 lead. In 13 games since his MLB debut on Sept. 9, Hoerner is 15-for-53 (.283) with 12 RBI.

Kemp went 1-for-1 with a pinch-hit two-run homer in Saturday's 9-8 loss to the Cardinals.

The home run was his eighth of the season -- and first in the National League -- as he connected in the seventh inning off Giovanny Gallegos to put the Cubs in front 8-7. The 27-year-old was hitting just .172 since he was acquired by the Cubs on July 31. Kemp's overall .215/.291/386 slash line isn't impressive, but his eight home runs represent a career high.

Albies is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants.

Albies is one of several regulars getting the day off after the Braves clinched the NL East with a win Friday. Adeiny Hechavarria will replace Albies at second base and in the two hole in the batting order against right-hander Johnny Cueto.

McNeil went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored Friday night against the Reds.

McNeil came just a triple shy of the cycle in this one, hitting a solo homer in the sixth inning followed by an RBI double to right field in the ninth. The 27-year-old continues to put together a stellar season at the dish, slashing .321/.390/.540 with 23 homers and 73 RBI over 128 games.

Marte has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his back and will be shut down for the rest of the season, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Marte was removed from Tuesday's matchup due to a stiff back, and the team announced prior to Friday's clash that the outfielder is done for the year. He won't require surgery and is expected to be ready to roll for the start of spring training, per Piecoro. Jarrod Dyson figures to see time in center field against right-handers while Tim Locastro slots in against lefties with Marte out of commission.

Marte (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Marte was held out of Wednesday's game after leaving Tuesday's contest with a stiff back, and he will miss another game Friday despite the Diamondbacks coming off a team off day. It's not yet clear how long Marte will be sidelined, but with Arizona's playoff hopes fading, there is little incentive for the club to risk Marte's long-term health.

Frazier is not in Thursday's lineup against the Mariners.

He is hitting .340/.397/.585 with two home runs in 16 games this month. Kevin Newman starts at second base while Cole Tucker gets the start at shortstop.

Dubon went 1-for-5 with a pair of RBI in Wednesday's 11-3 win over Boston.

Dubon's single with the bases loaded put the finishing touches on a five-run ninth inning for the Giants. It was the 24-year-old's eighth RBI through 20 contests, but he will find it hard to drive in runs while stuck batting eighth in the order. Dubon does have three homers and two steals through 69 plate appearances, and that power/speed combo keeps the middle infielder relevant in deeper formats even with the unfavorable lineup placement.

Marte believes the added running that comes with playing center field has been a contributor to his current back discomfort, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

At first, Marte talked about how the new artificial turf at Chase Field "took a toll on me," echoing similar comments earlier this season from fellow outfielders Adam Jones and David Peralta. When reporters pressed on with follow-up inquiries, Marte walked back the comments, instead saying the increased running that comes with playing the outfield for the first time in his career was a possible source of back pain. "I feel like next year, when I'm more used to playing center and I have all that experience under my belt, then my body will be more conditioned to play the outfield," he said. Marte has started 92 games in center field in 2019.