MLB Player News
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Kennys Vargas DH | MIN
Twins' Kennys Vargas: Out of Saturday's lineup
Vargas is out of Saturday's lineup against the Royals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
He has been the primary DH since getting recalled, hitting .235/.333/.353 with one home run and 10 strikeouts in 34 at-bats over that span. Mitch Garver gets the start at DH, hitting sixth, against lefty Onelki Garcia.
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Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Back in action Saturday
Buxton (hand) is starting in center field and hitting third Saturday against the Royals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
After being out of the lineup for two games with a bone contusion in his hand, Buxton is back in the heart of the Twins' order against lefty Onelki Garcia. This was the best-case scenario for his owners, as it originally seemed like he may have suffered a fracture that would have ended his season. Plug him in with confidence, as he was hitting .324/.354/.619 with eight home runs and eight steals (on eight attempts) in 105 at-bats leading up to his injury.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Not in Saturday's lineup
Carpenter is out of the lineup against the Giants on Saturday.
Carpenter heads to the bench after seven straight starts while Jose Martinez draws the assignment in his stead. Since the beginning of August, Carpenter is hitting .194/.364/.376 with just two multi-hit games. He will likely return to the starting nine for Sunday's series finale.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Day off for Game 1
Turner is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader against San Diego, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Turner retreats to the bench following eight straight starts, including a 3-for-4 day at the plate during Friday's victory. In his place, Rob Segedin gets the nod at the hot corner.
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Miguel Cabrera DH | DET
Tigers' Miguel Cabrera: Six-game suspension begins Saturday
Cabrera will begin serving a six-game suspension Saturday for his role in a brawl between the Yankees and Tigers on Aug. 24.
He was originally handed a seven-game suspension, but it was appealed down to six, with Alex Wilson receiving a three-game suspension and manager Brad Ausmus receiving a one-game suspension. Cabrera will be eligible to return next Saturday in Toronto. Efren Navarro and John Hicks should each see time at first base during the suspension.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Collects three hits Friday
Turner went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's victory over the Padres.
The Dodgers' third baseman had gone through a bit of a hitting slump -- by his standards -- in August (.245 in 26 games), bringing his batting average "down" to .332 on the year. Friday's three-hit performance extended a modest five-game hitting streak, giving Turner a shot to make a late push for the National League batting title. He currently trails Charlie Blackmon by eight points with 29 games remaining in the regular season.
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Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Seems close to returning
Buxton (hand) is out of Friday's lineup, but is supposed to hit in the cage and was close to being used for defense or pinch running in Thursday's game, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
It sounds like he is truly day-to-day, and likely available off the bench Friday. If he is able to hit in the cage without issue, he could return to the lineup later in this weekend's series against the Royals. Zack Granite is starting in center field and hitting ninth Friday in his stead.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Royals' Jorge Soler: Will be recalled at later date
Soler has returned home to attend to a personal matter and will not be recalled until a later date, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com.
The report did not include any estimate of how long Soler will be away from the team, but it does indicate he will join the Royals' major-league squad at some point before September comes to a close. Soler posted an impressive .932 OPS over 71 games with Triple-A Omaha this season, so he could see a healthy amount of playing time when he returns so the Royals can gauge if his power carries over to the top level.
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Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Out again Friday
Buxton (hand) is out of Friday's lineup against the Royals, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Buxton and the Twins got good news when he was diagnosed with a bone contusion instead of a fractured hamate. He will miss his second straight game, with Zack Granite getting the start in center field and hitting ninth.
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Miguel Cabrera DH | DET
Tigers' Miguel Cabrera: Starting at DH in Game 1
Cabrera (back) is starting at DH and hitting third in Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Indians.
The Tigers will ease their star slugger back by limiting him only to hitting in the matinee while Efren Navarro starts at first base and hits sixth. It would not be surprising if Cabrera sat out Game 2 entirely. He is hitting .221/.307/.325 with one home run in 77 August at-bats.