MLB Player News

Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated Friday that Stanton will sit out Saturday's game against the Red Sox but will return Sunday for the series finale, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Both Stanton and Aaron Judge are working their way back from injuries, so the Yankees plan to manage their time carefully as they build back up. Friday marked the first time since Aug. 8 that both sluggers were in the same lineup, and the pair combined to go 2-for-9.

Ohtani (forearm) could start a throwing program before the end of the regular season, the Associated Press reports.

When Ohtani was diagnosed with a strain of the flexor pronator mass in his right forearm in early August, he was given a recovery timeline of 4-6 weeks. The upper end of that estimate has since passed, suggesting that the 26-year-old could be ready to start building up his arm again. The Angels long ago committed to keeping Ohtani off the mound for the remainder of this season, so any throwing program he begins is likely to be approached with caution and with an eye toward 2021. Ohtani has stated a desire to return to the mound next season, though the organization has yet to reveal their plans for the two-way star.

Belt will sit against lefty Jesus Luzardo and the Athletics on Saturday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt has started on occasion against lefties this season but typically finds himself on the bench, starting just seven times in 21 opportunities. Wilmer Flores will be the first baseman in his absence.

Dickerson was placed on the paternity list Saturday, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Players typically spend three days on paternity leave, though pandemic-related protocols could delay that slightly this season. Austin Slater and Darin Ruf should see more at-bats during his absence, while utility man Daniel Robertson was called up to give the team an extra bat on the bench.

Soler (oblique) won't return during the Royals' weekend series against the Brewers, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

Soler remains without a timetable to return as manager Mike Matheny said that he's still feeling his oblique injury a bit. He made progress late in the week as he looked good after taking live at-bats Thursday, but he needs some more time prior to returning to game action.

Winker isn't starting Saturday against the White Sox.

Winker blasted a three-run homer Friday, and Saturday's absence appears to be routine with left-hander Dallas Keuchel on the mound for the White Sox. Tyler Stephenson will serve as the designated hitter.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk Friday as the Braves beat the Mets 15-2.

Ozuna quickly got the scoring started for the Braves with a bloop RBI single to right in the first to put the Braves up 1-0. He topped that the following inning by crushing a changeup to the second deck in left field to extend the Braves' lead to 5-0. Ozuna, like the majority of the Braves' hitters, has had an outstanding month of September in which he has hit .380/.457.732 with seven home runs, 34 RBI and 12 runs scored in 17 games.

Winker went 1-for-4 with a three-run homer in Friday's 7-1 win over the White Sox.

Winker hit the Reds' fourth homer of the night off Chicago starter Jonathan Stiever and it was a no-doubter, traveling 447 feet. The long ball snapped an 0-for-23 skid at the plate for Winker, who recently missed a stretch of time with back tightness. Overall, he's slashing .263/.381/.556 with 11 homers, 22 RBI, 23 runs scored and one stolen base.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during an 8-7 win over the Blue Jays in the second game of Friday's doubleheader.

After going 0-for-2 with two walks, a run scored and his fourth stolen base of the year in the matinee, McCutchen took Ross Stripling deep in the third inning of the nightcap for his eighth homer. The veteran outfielder is struggling to make consistent contact right now, going 4-for-29 (.138) with 10 strikeouts over his last eight games, but he's still finding ways to contribute.

Harper went 4-for-6 with two walks, two doubles, a home run, three runs scored and four RBI across both games of Friday's doubleheader as the Phillies swept the Blue Jays.

His two-run shot off Robbie Ray in the matinee gave the Phils some insurance runs in a 7-0 victory, then Harper reached base all four times he came to the plate in the nightcap in a wild 8-7 win. Over his last 10 games, the 27-year-old is slashing .343/.452/.829 with four homers and seven RBI as he tries to lead Philadelphia into the postseason.