MLB Player News

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Reds.

McCutchen added some insurance with an eighth-inning blast. The 35-year-old has gone yard twice in eight games in September while adding three multi-hit efforts. He's maintained a .244/.312/.394 slash line with 16 homers, 62 RBI, 62 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 118 contests in a near-everyday role, though he's already been out of the starting lineup four times in 11 games this month.

Ozuna will sit Saturday against Seattle.

Ozuna didn't make an appearance from Aug. 22 through Sep. 1, but he's since started six straight games in left field, posting a 1.008 OPS over that stretch. Eddie Rosario will fill that position Saturday.

Blackmon isn't starting Saturday against Arizona, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon has gone 0-for-13 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts over the last three games and will get a day off Saturday. C.J. Cron is serving as the designated hitter and batting third.

The Mets will call up Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Contact concerns may ultimately prevent Vientos from making the most of his considerable power, but he hits the ball hard enough that he may be able to find success despite the whiffs. That's been the case for him in 101 games for Triple-A Syracuse this year, as he's struck out 28.6 percent of the time but still managed to hit .283/.361/.524 with 24 home runs. He isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins but could earn at-bats at third base or designated hitter down the stretch, especially against lefties.

Reyes isn't in the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Reyes hit .333 with a double, three RBI, two runs, three walks and six strikeouts over his last six games and will get a breather Saturday. Rafael Ortega is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth.

Mercedes cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento by the Giants on Friday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old was optioned to Triple-A on Aug. 31 and will stick around Sacramento after losing his spot on the 40-man roster. Mercedes has appeared in 31 games in the big leagues this year and has a .667 OPS in 83 plate appearances.

Pederson isn't starting Friday's game against the Cubs.

Pederson will get a breather with left-hander Drew Smyly starting for the Cubs on Friday. Austin Dean is starting in left field and batting eighth.

Harper is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Nationals.

Harper will sit on the bench Friday as the Nationals will begin the game with lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound. Alec Bohm will take over as Washington's designated hitter, causing Edmundo Sosa to pick up a start at third base.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 4-2 loss to the Brewers in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Pederson started both contests after sitting for four straight games when the Giants faced a run of left-handed pitchers. He went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in the matinee before delivering a solo shot in the eighth inning of the nightcap. The slugger has gone 14-for-34 (.412) over his last 13 games, but he's mainly been confined to the strong side of a platoon in left field. For the year, he's slashing .265/.345/.522 with 22 homers, 62 RBI, 48 runs scored and three stolen bases through 368 plate appearances.

McCutchen isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Giants.

McCutchen started Thursday's matinee and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Rowdy Tellez will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth during the second game of the twin bill.