MLB Player News
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Hits solo homer in Game 1
Harper went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Padres in Game 1 of the NLCS.
Harper took Padres starter Yu Darvish deep to left field in the fourth inning for the game's first run. His homer proved to be all the Phillies needed as their pitching staff completed a shutout Tuesday night. The 30-year-old continued his torrid run in the 2022 postseason with his fourth home run and seventh extra-base hit in just seven games, extending his hitting streak to six games. Prior to the postseason, Harper hit only three home runs in all of September and October, but his power surge is coming at the perfect time for the Phillies.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Not starting Game 4
Ozuna will sit for Game 4 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Saturday.
Ozuna sat for Game 1 but returned for Games 2 and 3. He's yet to make an impact this series, going 0-for-8 with four strikeouts. William Contreras will get his chance as the designated hitter in Game 4.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: On bench for Game 1
Ozuna will sit for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Ozuna had a disappointing season overall, hitting .226/.274/.413 in 124 games. He earned a spot on Atlanta's playoff roster nonetheless, but he won't get the start against lefty Ranger Suarez in Game 1. It's possible he starts Game 2 or 3 against righties Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, but it will be William Contreras who serves as the designated hitter Tuesday.
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Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Mets' Daniel Vogelbach: Not starting Game 2
Vogelbach will be on the bench for Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Saturday.
Vogelbach will hit the bench with lefty Blake Snell on the mound for the Padres. It's possible he'll make a pinch hitting appearance later in the game, potentially for Darin Ruf, who will start at designated hitter in his place.
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Mark Vientos 1B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Misses wild-card roster
Vientos is absent from the Mets' roster for the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres on Friday, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports.
Vientos made his big-league debut Sept. 11 and won't be included on New York's roster to open the playoffs. He played in 16 games down the stretch and had a .167/.268/.278 slash line with one home run and three RBI.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Mets' Darin Ruf: Back for wild-card round
Ruf (neck) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday and is on the roster for the Mets' NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Deesha Thosar of Fox Sports reports.
Ruf spent the final and a half of the season on the shelf with a neck strain, but he's back with the team for the start of the playoffs. The 36-year-old had a .152/.216/.197 slash line in 29 games for the Mets and will provide depth at first base and the corner outfield.
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Mark Canha LF | TEX
Mets' Mark Canha: Homers, scores twice
Canha went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's victory over the Nationals.
Canha kicked off the scoring for the Mets in the first inning, launching a three-run homer off Erick Fedde to score Francisco Alvarez and Daniel Vogelbach. The outfielder then led off the third inning with a single before coming around to score on a James McCann home run. It was Canha's seventh multi-hit game since the start of September, and he's now recorded two hits in three of his last four, hitting .462 over that brief stretch to close the regular season.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Strengthens bid for playoff roster
Ozuna went 3-for-5 with a three-run home run and a double in a loss to the Marlins on Wednesday.
Ozuna got the start at DH and gave Atlanta its first (albeit brief) lead with a three-run homer to left field in the sixth inning. The veteran struggled to a .226/.274/.413 slash line over 124 games this season but did contribute power with 23 homers and 56 RBI. Ozuna finished the season hitting well, batting .321 (17-for-53) since the start of September, which may have improved his chance of making the postseason roster, per David O'Brien of The Athletic.
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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Cubs' Franmil Reyes: Finishes with a bang
Reyes went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run, two runs scored and three total RBI in Wednesday's 15-2 win over the Reds.
Reyes led the way in Chicago's blowout win, hitting his 14th and final home run of the season as part of the romp. He hit five of those long balls in 48 games with the Cubs and batted .234 with his new club. Reyes cooled off some after a strong start in Chicago, but his power potential could earn him another look with the Cubs as they head into 2023. He has some fantasy appeal when he's hot, though he's pretty much limited to a DH role at this point, which caps his value.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Mets' Darin Ruf: Could return this weekend
Manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday that Ruf (neck) will be an option for this weekend's NL Wild Card Series against the Padres, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.
Ruf has been sidelined for the last week due to a neck strain, but he's eligible to be reinstated from the injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against San Diego. Whether he's added to the Mets' postseason roster remains to be seen, but it's at least encouraging that the 36-year-old will be in the mix to return.