MLB Player News
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Keibert Ruiz C | WAS
Nationals' Keibert Ruiz: Drives in three Sunday
Ruiz went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 10-9 win over Atlanta.
Ruiz plated two runs with a ground-rule double in the first and added an RBI-single an inning later as part of his fifth multi-hit effort over the last six games. During that span, the 25-year-old went 13-for-27 while striking out only twice. Ruiz finishes with a slash line of .260/.308/.409 with 18 home runs, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored and a 31:58 BB:K over 562 plate appearances. Though he remains in a rebuilding Nationals' lineup, Ruiz's ability to make contact along the increased power he displayed this season gives him a nice floor heading into 2024.
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Gabriel Moreno C | ARI
Diamondbacks' Gabriel Moreno: Receives Sunday off
Moreno is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
It's a well-deserved day off for Moreno, who started Arizona's previous 14 contests for the playoff push. The rookie backstop is poised to close the campaign with seven homers, 50 RBI, 33 runs and a .284/.339/.408 slash line in 111 games.
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Sean Murphy C | ATL
Braves' Sean Murphy: Out of Sunday's lineup
Murphy is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Atlanta has locked away the top seed in the National League, so Murphy will sit for the third time in four games to close out the season. The 28-year-old finished this season with an .843 OPS and career highs in home runs (21) and RBI (68) despite playing in just 108 games.
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J.T. Realmuto C | PHI
Phillies' J.T. Realmuto: Not in Sunday's lineup
Realmuto is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.
The Phillies have the No. 1 wild-card seed locked up, so it's not a surprise Realmuto is on the bench for the regular-season finale. The 32-year-old's .762 OPS in 135 games this year will be the lowest since his first full MLB season in 2015.
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Alejandro Kirk C | TOR
Blue Jays' Alejandro Kirk: Gets breather in finale
Kirk is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rays.
This was essentially a certainty after Toronto clinched a spot in the postseason, as Kirk started 10 of the prior 11 games and could really use a breather. He hit .231 with two home runs, nine runs and 10 RBI in 27 September games.
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Salvador Perez C | KC
Royals' Salvador Perez: Homers in Saturday's loss
Perez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Yankees.
Perez has gone 8-for-24 (.333) with two homers and seven RBI over six games since returning from the 7-day concussion injured list. His numbers through 139 games this season have largely been in line with what he did in 114 contests in 2022. Perez is slashing .256/.294/.424 with 23 homers, 79 RBI, 59 runs scored and 21 doubles entering the final game of 2023.
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Elias Diaz C | KC
Rockies' Elias Diaz: Sitting for season finale
Diaz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.
The 32-year-old started the first two games versus Minnesota but will sit for the series and season finale Sunday. Barring an appearance off the bench, Diaz will close the campaign with a .266/.314/.408 slash line with 14 homers and 72 RBI in 140 contests as he enters the final year of his contract in 2024. Austin Wynns is catching for Chase Anderson in the season finale.
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Yan Gomes C | CHC
Cubs' Yan Gomes: Hits grand slam Saturday
Gomes went 1-for-3 with a walk, a grand slam and five total RBI in Saturday's win over the Brewers.
Gomes reached the 10-homer plateau in style, as he blasted a grand slam in the first inning to get the Cubs going. The veteran catcher has been a pleasant surprise this season, as his 63 RBI are his most since he tallied a career-best 74 RBI back in 2014. It remains to be seen what the 36-year-old's role will be in 2024, though he appears to still have a little left in the tank based on this year's performance.
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Jonah Heim C | ATH
Rangers' Jonah Heim: Knocks in three
Heim went 1-for-4 with a walk and three RBI in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Mariners.
Heim had a two-run single in the third inning then walked with the bases loaded in the fourth, helping the Rangers to clinch a playoff berth. Texas can clinch the division title with a win in Sunday's season finale, which means an important piece like Heim could start one more game. The catcher's rate statistics fell off following an August wrist injury, but Heim has remained productive as a run producer, delivering 25 runs over 40 games since returning from the injury. For the season, Heim has a .375 batting average, .705 slugging percentage and a 1.117 OPS with runners in scoring position.
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Logan O'Hoppe C | LAA
Angels' Logan O'Hoppe: Knocks 14th homer
O'Hoppe went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Athletics.
O'Hoppe had one of just three hits for the Angels in the game, giving them a short-lived 3-1 lead in the seventh inning. The catcher is up to 14 homers this season, four of which have come over his last 10 games as he finishes the year in good form. He's slashing .238/.284/.503 with 29 RBI, 22 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 50 contests this season.