MLB Player News

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Vogelbach narrowed the Mets' deficit to two with his solo shot in the sixth inning, but that was the last run scored by either team in the contest. The veteran slugger has been a solid source of power of late, going deep five times over his past 13 games. He's added 12 RBI and seven runs while batting .278 (10-for-36) over that span.

Vientos (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vientos played in a rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, and it's apparently the only one he will need. The rookie infielder has been out since mid-August with left wrist tendinitis. He had been seeing regular action at third base before the injury and should return to playing almost every day.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Atlanta, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will retreat to the bench with left-handed starter Max Fried on the mound Saturday for Atlanta. Heliot Ramos will take over in left field in Pederson's absence, and Wilmer Flores will serve as San Francisco's DH.

Vientos (wrist) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Vientos doubled, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs while playing 10 innings at third base in his first rehab game. He is eligible for activation Saturday and it sounds like his return to the Mets is imminent. Vientos has been out since mid-August with left wrist tendinitis.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against Pittsburgh.

Friday marks the fourth time Morel has been held out of the lineup in the Cubs' last five games as he continues to slump at the plate. Jeimer Candelario will serve as Chicago's designated hitter in Morel's absence while Nick Madrigal starts at third base.

Vogelbach isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will draw the start Friday for the Angels, so the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will retreat to the bench to begin the game. DJ Stewart will take over as the Mets' designated hitter as Jeff McNeil shifts to right field and Danny Mendick mans second base.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Arizona.

Encarnacion-Strand slotted in at first base after the Reds placed Joey Votto (shoulder) on the injured list Thursday. The injury clears the way for Encarnacion-Strand to receive a steady dose of plate appearances, but he's struggled to make an impact in the majors so far, slashing .234/.306/.364 in August with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

McCutchen will grab some rest after going 3-for-4 with three doubles and a walk in Wednesday's series finale versus the Cardinals. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Thursday as Josh Palacios, Ji Hwan Bae and Connor Joe start across the outfield.

Morel is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Pirates.

It's his second straight absence from the Cubs' starting lineup, though Morel did single as a pinch hitter Wednesday in Detroit. The 24-year-old is slashing just .107/.206/.232 over his last 63 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 7-0 win over the Mets.

Ozuna was a triply shy of the cycle, but he hasn't hit a three-bagger since 2019, so he wasn't all that close to the feat. He was again the driving force of Atlanta's offense, logging his fourth multi-hit effort in his last five games. He has four homers and seven RBI in that span. For the season, the 32-year-old is slashing .262/.334/.519 with 28 homers, 67 RBI, 62 runs scored and 18 doubles through 110 contests.