MLB Player News
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Zack Collins C | CLE
Blue Jays' Zack Collins: On bench Saturday
Collins isn't starting Saturday against the Astros.
Collins went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts Friday, and he'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. George Springer will serve as the designated hitter while Bradley Zimmer starts in center field.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Still not starting
Choi (elbow) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.
Choi continues to deal with a slightly hyperextended left elbow, and he'll be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. He was available off the bench if needed Friday, and it's possible that'll be the case once again Saturday. Although manager Kevin Cash is hopeful Choi won't require a stint on the IL, the team has discussed the possibility, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports. Yandy Diaz will shift to first base while Taylor Walls starts at the hot corner.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Slugs fourth homer
Stanton went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 12-2 rout of the Royals.
He went back-to-back with Anthony Rizzo in the first inning, giving the Yankees an early 3-0 lead. Stanton is locked in right now, going 7-for-14 over a four-game RBI streak with two of his four homers on the year.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Big day at plate
Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Friday's 11-7 win over Toronto.
Alvarez's impressive day got started with an RBI single and a run scored in the third inning. He then drilled a two-run homer off of Trevor Richards in the sixth before scoring a third run in the eighth. After beginning the year in a 5-for-33 slump, Alvarez is 10-for-23 (.435) with six runs scored over his last six games.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Fills stat sheet Friday
Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-1 win over the White Sox.
Ohtani took Lucas Giolito deep in the first inning with a 419-foot solo shot, his fourth homer of the year. He reached on a fielder's choice and scored in the sixth before singling, stealing a base and scoring again in the eighth. The reigning AL MVP is 16-for-56 (.286) with six extra-base hits and three steals over his last 13 games.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Astros' Michael Brantley: Status murky after Friday's scratch
Manager Dusty Baker said after Friday's game that he is unsure if Brantley (health and safety protocols) will be available for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
He was scratched from Friday's lineup, but the Astros have used the "health and safety protocols" as cover for anything from non-COVID illnesses to positive tests this season, so it's possible Brantley could just be day-to-day. Jose Siri entered the lineup in his place.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Astros' Michael Brantley: Scratched due to protocols
Brantley was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays due to health and safety protocols, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Chas McCormick will shift to center field while Jose Siri enters the lineup in center field. It's unclear whether Brantley will be day-to-day as he goes through testing or if he will be placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Available off bench
Choi (elbow) is feeling better and is available off the bench if needed Friday, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.
Choi is on the bench for the second game in a row while dealing with a slightly hyperextended left elbow, but it looks as though he could be back in action soon. Yandy Diaz will start at first base Friday against the Twins.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Remains on bench Friday
Martinez (groin) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
The veteran slugger aggravated an adductor injury Wednesday and will sit out for the second straight game Friday, though he's expected to be back in the lineup for Saturday's contest. Martinez has a modest four-game hit streak during which he's gone 6-for-15 with four doubles, two RBI and a run scored, but he'll need to wait at least another day before attempting to extend it.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Sitting again Friday
Choi (elbow) is not in the lineup Friday against the Twins, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Choi will sit for the second consecutive contest while dealing with a slight hyperextension of his left elbow. The 30-year-old isn't expected to require a stint on the injured list, and he could be available off the bench Friday since he's feeling better, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports. Yandy Diaz will receive another look at first base while Taylor Walls mans the hot corner.