MLB Player News

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.

Morel isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Reds.

Morel started the last three games and went 3-for-9 with a double, two RBI, a walk and three strikeouts. David Bote will take over at the hot corner and bat ninth.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Wednesday's 7-3 victory over San Francisco.

Turner put the Dodgers ahead with a fifth-inning home run off righty starter Alex Cobb. The third baseman increased his hit streak to 16 games, recording a .441 average over 59 at-bats during that span. Furthermore, the 37-year-old has a 1.429 OPS with nine extra-base hits in 40 plate appearances in his last 10 contests.

The Pirates claimed Collins off waivers from the Blue Jays and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Collins joins his third organization after the White Sox previously shipped him to Toronto shortly before Opening Day. With Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk ahead of him in the pecking order at catcher in Toronto, Collins wasn't able to carve out consistent playing time, as he saw action in 26 games with the big club while slashing .194/.266/.417 in 79 plate appearances. Though Collins will report to Triple-A as he joins his new organization, the Pirates could give him a look at the big-league level before long. Neither of the two catchers on the 28-man active roster -- Jason Delay and Tyler Heineman -- profile as long-term solutions at the position.

Pederson isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Dodgers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Pederson will take a seat for a third consecutive game since left-hander Clayton Kershaw is starting for the Dodgers. Luis Gonzalez is starting in left field and batting ninth.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Tuesday's 10-9 win over the Athletics.

Ozuna has now produced hits while starting each of Atlanta's last four games, going a collective 6-for-13 with a double and a home run. He'll be in the lineup in left field and as Atlanta's No. 8 hitter for the series finale Wednesday. At this point, Ozuna appears to be ahead of both Robbie Grossman and Eddie Rosario for an everyday spot in the corner outfield.