MLB Player News

Dickerson will sit against the Astros on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row. His first two absences came against lefties, against whom he's started just three times this season, but he'll sit Saturday even with righty Zack Greinke on the mound for Houston. LaMonte Wade starts in left field in his absence.

Atlanta added Soler to the 26-man roster Saturday.

The slugger, acquired from Kansas City before Friday's trade deadline, has hit six home runs since the All-Star break after going deep just seven times leading up to the Midsummer Classic. Although he's best suited as a designated hitter, Soler figures to get considerable playing time at the corner outfield positions in a split role with Joc Pederson, Adam Duvall and Abraham Almonte. Eddie Rosario (abdomen) will factor in as well once he's healthy.

Pederson went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 9-5 loss to Milwaukee.

The outfielder has hit safely in his last seven games, going 12-for-29 (.414) in that span. Pederson has a .245/.307/.427 slash line with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases across 348 plate appearances between Chicago and Atlanta this year. Despite Atlanta's additions of Eddie Rosario (abdomen), Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall, Pederson figures to get a decent share of playing time in right field or center field over the last two months of the season.

Dickerson isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dickerson will be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games with another southpaw (Framber Valdez) on the mound for the opposition Friday. Thairo Estrada will start in left field and bat eighth.

Harper (back) is starting Friday's game against the Pirates.

Harper exited Thursday's nightcap against the Nationals due to back spasms, but he won't miss any additional time. He's gone 6-for-11 with a home run, two doubles, three runs, two RBI and six walks across his last five games.

Soler was traded from Kansas City to Atlanta on Friday in exchange for Kasey Kalich, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran slugger has an underwhelming .192/.288/.370 slash line through 94 games this year, but he's picked things up in 12 contests since the All-Star break with a 1.066 OPS, six home runs and 7:9 BB:K. Atlanta has completely remade its outfield ahead of the trade deadline, with Soler, Eddie Rosario (abdomen) and Adam Duvall all being acquired Friday following the addition of Joc Pederson two weeks ago.

Miller went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run scored in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Miller went 0-for-2 in the first game, but he made his presence felt in the eighth inning of the nightcap in a big way. His extra-inning grand slam off reliever Sam Clay lifted the Phillies to a huge win. and it also allowed Miller to reach double-digit homers for the second time in the last three seasons and for the fifth time in his career. The infielder is hitting .235 with a .764 OPS on the year.

Vientos went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has been producing a lot of souvenirs lately, slugging eight of his 20 homers on the season over the last 18 games while slashing .273/.347/.682. Vientos remains on track for a potential 2022 big-league debut, particularly if he adapts well to a flexible defensive role -- he's played 10 games each at first base and in left field this season for Binghamton in addition to his regular work at the hot corner.

Harper was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals with back spasms, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's not believed to be a serious issue, as Harper expects to be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now.

Harper exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Nationals in the bottom of the third inning with an apparent injury, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper started both ends of the twin bill, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances on the day (one double, three walks) before departing when his second turn through the batting order came up in Game 2. According to Lauber, Harper appeared to be hurting when he made an error in the outfield in the top of the third, so the Phillies opted to pull him from the contest to further evaluate him. Expect the team to provide an update on Harper's condition later Thursday or shortly before Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh.