MLB Player News
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Christian Encarnacion-Strand 1B | CIN
Reds' Christian Encarnacion-Strand: Cranks walk-off home run
Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the ninth inning of Friday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays.
The Reds and Blue Jays were locked in a scoreless tie with one out in the bottom of the ninth when Jordan Hicks hung a slider, and Encarnacion-Strand launched it 411 feet for the game's only run. It was the first walk-off hit in the 23-year-old's career, and Encarnacion-Strand now has four home runs in his first 28 big-league contests.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Dodgers' J.D. Martinez: Returns to lineup
Martinez (groin) will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter Friday against the Marlins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Martinez was a late scratch from Thursday's game against Milwaukee, but he'll return after just a one-game absence. The 35-year-old has been in a bit of a slump recently, slashing just .214/.353/.357 since the start of August.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Sitting Friday
McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against the Twins.
McCutchen has gone 0-for-12 at the plate across his last four games, so he'll get a break Friday in order to regroup. Bryan Reynolds will take over as Pittsburgh's designated hitter and Ji Hwan Bae will move to the outfield in McCutchen's absence, allowing Liover Peguero to start at second base while batting seventh.
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Joey Meneses 1B | WAS
Nationals' Joey Meneses: Career-high five RBI in win
Meneses went 2-for-5 with two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.
Meneses put the Nationals on top 3-1 with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning and added another two-run double in the sixth to further extend the lead. The first baseman racked up a career-high five RBI on the afternoon and raised his batting average to .283 on the season. Meneses has now recorded multiple hits in two straight games and three of his last four, scoring six runs over that stretch to go along with his five RBI on Thursday.
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J.D. Martinez DH | NYM
Dodgers' J.D. Martinez: Late scratch Thursday
Martinez (groin) was a late scratch from the lineup Thursday versus the Brewers, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Martinez was originally set to be in the lineup for the series finale, but he will now be on the bench. Martinez has been dealing with a hamstring/groin injury for multiple weeks, and it appears to have flared up again. Will Smith will take over at designated hitter and bat cleanup against Milwaukee.
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Mark Vientos 3B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Goes on IL with sore wrist
Vientos was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to Aug. 16, with left wrist tendinitis, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.
Imaging scans taken Wednesday showed no structural damage, but Vientos will rest his wrist until at least late next week. Jonathan Arauz and Danny Mendick will likely share time at third base in his absence. Arauz is getting the start there in the Mets' series opener Thursday against the Cardinals.
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Mark Vientos 3B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Out again with sore wrist
Vientos (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's series opener at St. Louis.
Vientos missed Wednesday's series finale against the Pirates due to left wrist discomfort, but an MRI showed only inflammation and it seems like he'll be able to avoid the injured list. Jonathan Arauz is covering third base for the Mets on Thursday against the Cardinals. Daniel Vogelbach will fill the DH role.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Vintage power display
Harper went 3-for-4 with a walk, two solo home runs and a third run scored in Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Blue Jays.
It's the first multi-homer performance of the season for Harper, who took Kevin Gausman deep in the third inning before wrapping up the scoring on the night with a blast to right-center field off Bowden Francis in the ninth. Harper is finding his groove in August, slashing .302/.356/.642 through 14 games with six doubles, four home runs, nine RBI and 10 runs as the Phillies begin their playoff push.