Pederson is absent from Friday's lineup against Houston.

The Astros are sending southpaw Framber Valdez to the mound, so the lefty-hitting Pederson will begin Friday's contest in the dugout. Since the All-Star break, Pederson has slashed .298/.459/.606 with 22 runs scored, eight home runs and 21 RBI across 122 plate appearances in his strong-side platoon role. Ketel Marte will serve as the designated hitter Friday while Kevin Newman gets the start at second base.

McCutchen (knee) is batting cleanup as the designated hitter Friday against the Nationals.

The 37-year-old was held out of the lineup the past two days due to some lingering knee soreness, but he's ready to rejoin the starting nine Friday. McCutchen was productive when healthy in August, as he had a .368/.457/.737 slash line with four homers in 11 games.

The Nationals designated Blankenhorn for assignment Friday.

The 28-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Blankenhorn has an .821 OPS in 106 games with Rochester this season and could remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

The Mets activated Martinez from the paternity list Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Martinez missed the series against the Red Sox while tending to more important matters but will be back for his club's weekend series versus the Reds. DJ Stewart was optioned in a corresponding move.

McCutchen (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

McCutchen had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs due to lingering left knee soreness, which is the same injury he just returned from last week. He'll miss a second straight start Thursday and is considered day-to-day. Bryan Reynolds will shift into the designated hitter spot for the Pirates while Billy McKinney handles left field.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in San Francisco.

It's a tough left-hander on the hill for the Giants in this one, so the left-handed hitting Pederson will grab a seat. Switch-hitting Josh Bell will get the start at designated hitter for the Diamondbacks.

Martini (thumb) has targeted Sept. 17 as the start of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

Martini underwent left thumb surgery in early July and is getting close to being ready for game action. The 34-year-old will hope to make it back to the Reds later this month.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said McCutchen was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs due to the veteran's knee being "a little cranky," Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 37-year-old was activated from the injured list late last week after missing some time due to knee inflammation, and the injury is apparently still a bit bothersome. Shelton indicated McCutchen will be available off the bench, so it doesn't appear to be a major setback.

McCutchen was scratched from the Pirates' lineup ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Cubs, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's unknown why Pittsburgh took McCutchen out of its lineup, but the team should offer some clarification in the near future. In the meantime, Oneil Cruz will move into the DH spot while Michael Taylor patrols center field.

Schwarber went 5-for-6 with a double, three home runs, four runs scored and six RBI in Tuesday's 10-9 win over the Blue Jays.

The 31-year-old slugger became only the second Phillie in history to record a five-hit, three-homer performance, joining Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt in a very exclusive club. Schwarber led off the game with a solo shot off Chris Bassitt and then added another off the veteran righty in the fourth, but it was his three-run blast in the top of the ninth off Chad Green that completed an improbable comeback from an early 6-1 deficit. Schwarber is up to 31 homers, 88 RBI and 92 runs on the season to go with an .843 OPS, his highest mark in the latter category since 2021.