MLB Player News

Pederson is day-to-day with a right hand injury after being struck by a pitch during Friday's game against Arizona, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. X-rays returned negative.

Pederson is out of the lineup after he took a pitch off his right hand while squaring to bunt Friday. The positive news is there's no fracture, but the outfielder will miss at least one game while he recovers. Wilmer Flores is acting as DH with Pederson out of the lineup.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson takes a seat after homering and drawing a pair of walks while also being hit by a pitch against Arizona on Friday. The left-handed hitter was hit in the hand, so it's possible his absence is related to that occurrence. Wilmer Flores will be the designated hitter and hit second against Zac Gallen and the Diamondbacks.

McCutchen will sit Saturday against the Orioles, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

McCutchen has been managed carefully by the Pirates this season, spending most of his time as the designated hitter while getting frequent off days. The plan seems to be working, as he's hitting .248/.362/.478. His .840 OPS is his best mark since 2017, the final year of his previous stint in Pittsburgh. Miguel Andujar will be the designated hitter in his absence.

Carpenter is not in Saturday's lineup against the Dodgers.

With lefty Julio Urias starting for the Dodgers, Nelson Cruz is starting at designated hitter and batting fifth. Carpenter hasn't started against a lefty since April 25.

Blackmon is not in Saturday's lineup against the Phillies.

Blackmon sometimes sits against southpaws, and that will be the case in this one with Ranger Suarez on the hill for the Phillies. Kris Bryant is at designated hitter while Brenton Doyle gets the start in the outfield.

Canha will sit Saturday against the Nationals.

Canha hasn't been particularly productive at the plate this season, hitting .218/.294/.361 in 35 games. Jeff McNeil will move out to left field Saturday, with Luis Guillorme starting at second base.

Pederson went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run, two walks and an additional run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Pederson opened the scoring with a two-out blast in the first inning. The 31-year-old has gone 3-for-9 with two homers, three RBI, four runs scored and four walks over his last four games. For the season, he's slashing .235/.351/.494 with five long balls, 18 RBI, 12 runs scored, four doubles and a triple through 97 plate appearances as a strong-side platoon option. He's played exclusively at designated hitter this season.

Harper went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Harper put the Phillies on his back in the eighth inning. He knocked a two-run double to give them a lead, then stole third and scored when Elias Diaz's throw was errant. With four multi-hit efforts through eight games, there's little to reason to doubt Harper's bat since he returned from Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old is slashing .344/.417/.500 with a home run, three RBI, nine runs scored and two doubles through 36 plate appearances, and the steal was his first of the season.

Morel went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-2 win over the Twins.

The Cubs batted Morel in the leadoff spot and the youngster responded with another good effort. Since getting recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Monday, he's rattled off three straight multi-hit games, producing two home runs and five RBI. About the only blemish Friday was that Morel got caught stealing, but he's doing more than enough to earn a consistent spot in the lineup.

Martinez (back) is serving as the DH and batting cleanup Friday versus the Padres.

Martinez was activated from the injured list during the Dodgers' team off day Thursday and will step right back into the starting lineup for Friday night's series opener against San Diego. He had posted an .840 OPS with four home runs and 15 RBI through 23 games prior to suffering a lower back injury.