MLB Player News

Canha will sit for the afternoon portion of Saturday's doubleheader against the Phillies, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Canha will sit for the second consecutive game, but he won't be getting two off days in a row as long as he returns to the lineup for the nightcap. Tyler Naquin will handle left field in the first game of the day.

Morel went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the Brewers.

Morel's sixth-inning homer, his 12th of the season, put the Cubs ahead for good in the high-scoring contest. The rookie also has nine stolen bases this year and a solid .790 OPS. He showed off his versatility by starting at shortstop Friday, though he's also played outfield as well as second and third base. Morel's had a strong debut so far, and he could be primed for a big 2023 campaign assuming he has an Opening Day lineup spot.

Pederson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 7-4 loss to the Rockies on Friday.

Pederson snapped his 36-game home run drought with a solo shot off Jose Urena to bring his team within striking distance after being down 7-0. It was Pederson's first home run since June 25. After struggling through July with a .133 average, Pederson is 11-for-32 (.344) in August. The 30-year-old outfielder is now slashing 254/.328/.500 on the season with 18 homers.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 2-1 win over the Marlins.

Turner singled and scored in the seventh inning to get the Dodgers on the board, and he added his steal after reaching on a fielder's choice in the eighth. The 37-year-old hasn't done much since he was activated from the injured list Aug. 9, as he's hitting .206 (7-for-34) with four RBI, two runs scored and a 2:7 BB:K in his last nine games. The veteran has a .252/.326/.391 slash line with eight home runs, two steals, 58 RBI and 44 runs scored through 393 plate appearances. Despite the slump at the plate, Turner regularly alternates between third base and designated hitter, sharing both spots primarily with Max Muncy.

Soler (back) took swings in the batting cage Friday at the Marlins' spring training facility in Jupiter, Fla., Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler landed on the shelf with lower-back spasms just after the All-Star break, but the back issues have plagued him throughout the season. The 30-year-old will likely require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the big-league roster, so he's likely still at least a couple weeks away from being reistated.

Harper (thumb) remains on schedule to begin a rehab assignment sometime next week, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

He took batting practice again Friday and it went well, so everything is still going according to plan. Harper is recovering from a torn ligament in his right elbow in addition to a fractured thumb, and he's expected to return to the big-league lineup as the designated hitter around Sept. 1.

Blackmon (hamstring) isn't starting Friday against the Giants.

Blackmon exited Thursday's loss to the Cardinals due to a hamstring injury and will be excluded from the lineup for at least one game. He's expected to be OK within a few days, but his availability off the bench Friday isn't yet clear. Connor Joe, Wynton Bernard and Randal Grichuk are starting in the outfield from left to right.

Canha isn't starting Friday against the Phillies.

Canha is getting a breather after he went 4-for-6 with a home run, three doubles, three RBI and two runs over the last two games. Tyler Naquin will take his place in left field and bat seventh.

Ozuna was arrested for driving under the influence Friday morning, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Ozuna was booked into the Gwinnett County Jail on Friday for DUI and Failure to Maintain Lane, and he was released on bond a few hours later. It's his second arrest in as many years, as he was charged with felony assault last year and was ultimately suspended by Major League Baseball. His status for Atlanta's weekend series against the Astros isn't yet clear.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored Thursday against the Dodgers.

McCutchen took Andrew Heaney yard on both occasions, bringing his homer total on the campaign to 13. Entering Thursday's game, McCutchen had just two homers and a .232 average across 22 games since the All-Star break. For the season, he owns a .253/.322/.406 line across 438 plate appearances.