MLB Player News

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs, two RBI and a walk in the Phillies' 9-7 victory over the Cubs on Thursday.

It was a lively day from atop the order for the veteran, as he reached base three times and laced his ninth and 10th doubles of the season. It was his third multi-hit effort in his last five games, bringing his slash line up to .259/.383/.438 through 185 at-bats.

Blackmon (calf) seems doubtful to play in Friday's game against the Orioles, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Of the injury, Blackmon said it's "not the kind of thing to take lightly." He fouled a ball off his calf in the third inning of Thursday's game and then aggravated the injury in the field later that inning before being removed from the game in the fourth frame. As of now, the Rockies beat writers seem to think Blackmon is day-to-day and could require at least one day off to get right. Ian Desmond figures to start in his place in the short term.

Blackmon, who left Thursday's game against the Pirates in the fourth inning, is dealing with a right calf issue, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Manager Bud Black said it is something the team is "monitoring", so the severity is unclear. For now, he should be considered day-to-day. Ian Desmond, who replaced Blackmon in center field, would likely get starts in the short term, but if the issue requires a stint on the injured list, Yonathan Daza could be an option to join the team from Triple-A Albuquerque.

Cespedes underwent season-ending surgery on his right ankle Thursday, Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports reports.

He was in the process of lightly ramping up activity while rehabbing multiple heel surgeries when he suffered multiple right ankle fractures in an off-field incident this past weekend. Cespedes is due to make $29 million in 2020 before becoming a free agent in 2021. He only played in 38 games last year and was limited to 81 in 2017.

Blackmon left Thursday's game against the Pirates in the fourth inning, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

At the time he left, the Rockies were down 8-0, and Saunders was not aware of an injury for Blackmon, although an injury seems likelier than Colorado taking out one of its best players halfway through the game. Ian Desmond replaced him in center field.

Buxton is not in Thursday's lineup against the Angels.

Wednesday's game was postponed, but Buxton will still get the off day for which he was slated after starting 11 games in a row. Max Kepler will shift to center field while Marwin Gonzalez starts in right field, hitting third.

Ohtani is not in Thursday's lineup against the Twins.

After Wednesday's game against the Twins was rained out, the Angels are going with the exact same lineup they had planned to use, which includes Ohtani starting on the bench and Mike Trout getting the nod at designated hitter. David Fletcher shifts to left field with Brian Goodwin moving over to center field.

Ozuna went 3-for-8 with two doubles, a home run, five RBI, a walk and two runs in a doubleheader against the Royals on Wednesday.

Ozuna was the most productive Cardinal over the two games combined, with the veteran outfielder driving in the team's only two runs during a blowout loss in the matinee. Ozuna's round tripper in the nightcap was his 14th of the season, and he's hit safely in four straight contests. Moreover, despite his career-low .239 average at present, the 28-year-old's ability to deliver with men on base has led to him sharing the major-league lead in RBI (45) with the Pirates' Josh Bell.

Martinez (back/illness) is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Martinez's streak of absences will reach four games after it was revealed Wednesday that he was nursing a sore back in addition to an illness. The Red Sox haven't suggested that either health issue will result in Martinez landing on the 10-day injured list, but his outlook could change if he's still not close to 100 percent when the team begins its series in Houston on Friday. Steve Pearce will enter the lineup Thursday as a de facto replacement for Martinez.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and three runs scored in Wednesday's 9-4 win over the Astros.

Jimenez had been quiet since his return from the injured list, going hitless in seven at-bats before taking Gerrit Cole deep in the second inning. He later put a cap on the night with an eighth-inning blast. This was the second two-homer game for the rookie, who also did it at Yankee Stadium on April 12.