MLB Player News

Morel is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

Morel had started the last two games after being out of the lineup for the three prior contests. The Cubs are utilizing Mike Tauchman in the designated hitter spot Friday, with Cody Bellinger playing center field and Jeimer Candelario covering first base.

Martinez (groin) went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and three RBI on Wednesday in his second rehab game with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Martinez kicked off his rehab assignment Tuesday, going 0-for-4 as OKC's designated hitter. He was back in the same role Wednesday and came through with a key hit for the Triple-A affiliate, clubbing an eighth-inning double that plated three runs to give OKC the lead. Martinez appears on track to be activated from the IL and return to the big-league Dodgers on Friday.

Choi (ribs) fractured his ankle while playing in a rehab game with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Choi was playing in his first rehab game with El Paso while working his way back from a rib injury he suffered in mid-August. Now that he's dealing with a fractured ankle with less than a month left in the season, Choi will likely be held out of action until 2024. He'll finish 2023 with a .179/.239/.440 slash line across 92 plate appearances between the Pirates and Padres.

Vogelbach is not in the lineup Wednesday versus the Nationals.

Mark Vientos will get another start in the DH role, this time against a right-hander in Joan Adon, after he recorded a triple and two runs scored in the Mets' win over lefty Patrick Corbin and the Nats on Tuesday. Vogelbach hasn't played since Sunday.

Soler was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right oblique strain, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler apparently suffered the oblique strain Tuesday in his first game back from a five-game absence for a bout of right hip tightness. It's another tough blow for the NL Wild Card-hunting Marlins, who also placed staff ace Sandy Alcantara on the injured list Wednesday because of a flexor strain. Soler leaves behind an .842 OPS with 35 homers and 71 RBI through 126 games on the year.

Soler is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Dodgers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler returned to action Tuesday following a five-game absence with a hip injury. He didn't suffer any known setback, so this would appear to be the Marlins simply easing him back into things. Josh Bell will be the designated hitter, with Luis Arraez shifting over to first base and Xavier Edwards getting a start at second.

Blackmon is not in the Rockies' lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon will be out of the lineup for the first time since Aug. 16. However, he has appeared in every game since returning from a hand injury Aug. 14. Elehuris Montero will start in the 37-year-old's place as the designated hitter.

McCutchen was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a partial tear in his left Achilles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

McCutchen will need to wear a walking boot for the next six weeks, so the injury effectively ends his season. It could also potentially spell the end of his Pirates career since he'll hit free agency this offseason, although 'Cutch has indicated a desire to come back for at least one more year. He's had a solid 2023 campaign, slashing .256/.378/.397 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases over 112 games. McCutchen has basically been a full-time designated hitter for the Pirates this season and the team now figures to rotate through multiple players in that spot in the final month.

McCutchen (Achilles) was seen wearing a walking boot Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

McCutchen departed Monday's game versus the Brewers due to left Achilles tightness and didn't play Tuesday. He has downplayed the injury previously, but it would appear it's more serious than he let on. Also noteworthy is that Jared Triolo has a locker at PNC Park, so it's possible he's taking McCutchen's spot on the roster. At the very least, McCutchen will miss another start Wednesday.

Martini entered as a pinch hitter and hit a three-run home run in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.

Martini's three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning tied the game before Christian Encarnacion-Strand ended matters in the ninth. The home run was Martini's fourth in 46 plate appearances since the Reds added him to the roster in August. Prior to his stint with Cincinnati, the 33-year-old had just two homers in 333 PAs in the majors. Martini, who had an .874 OPS at Triple-A Louisville, was overlooked several times earlier this season as the club called up its younger prospects, but he may have had the biggest hit in the Reds' improbable season.