MLB Player News

Stanton is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

Stanton has just five hits in 10 games since rejoining the lineup Sept. 16, so manager Don Mattingly decided to hold him out. Marcell Ozuna will cover right field in Stanton's place, and Derek Dietrich will replace Ozuna in left field.

Harper (thumb) is in the lineup Friday against the Marlins, radio play-by-play announcer Charlie Slowes reports.

Harper had sat out the previous four games with a thumb injury, and with the Nationals already clinching the NL East title it wasn't a given that he'd return before the end of the regular season. He's apparently recovered enough though, as he'll slot back into the starting lineup to open up the final series of the year, manning his usual responsibilities in right field and batting third against Miami starter Andrew Cashner.

Vargas went 2-for-5 with his tenth home run of the season in Thursday's win over Kansas City.

Vargas has quietly had a productive season when he's been able to find playing time with a .897 OPS in 44 games. It's been hard for him to find consistent playing time with a logjam of players at first base and DH for the Twins. That's hopefully a situation that will be resolved when a new Twins GM is hired in the offseason, which could finally give Vargas a path to steady at-bats in the majors.

Buxton went 2-for-3 with a triple and a walk in Thursday's win over Kansas City.

Buxton is hitting .286/.343/.615 with seven home runs and two triples in September. It looks like he's finally figured out how to hit in the majors after hitting .193 with a .561 OPS before September. It's just one month, but his display of power could foreshadow a breakout season in 2017.

Manager Joe Maddon hopes Soler (side) can participate in batting practice during Chicago's weekend series with the Reds before working through a simulated game Tuesday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Soler likely isn't going to be a factor in the waning days of the 2016 fantasy season but may have at least a platoon role in the playoffs. Daily fantasy competitors for October ball may find a cheap stick to use against lefty pitchers.

Pederson is in the starting lineup and hitting eighth Thursday against the Padres.

It's just Pederson's seventh start in Los Angeles' 43 games against a left-handed pitcher this year. Perhaps the Dodgers figured he could handle Christian Friedrich, who's saddled with a 4.66 ERA. Pederson could be a sneaky daily fantasy punt play, but it's hard to argue strongly for a bat with a .091/.239/.164 line in 55 at-bats against southpaws.

Soler (side) joined the Cubs in Pittsburgh on Thursday but is not expected to play, MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports.

Soler is back with the club a little sooner than expected, but he will not return to the lineup any earlier. It remains to be seen if he will get into a game before the regular season ends.

Brantley, who had shoulder surgery a month ago, could miss significant time next season, Fanrag Sports' Jon Heyman reports.

Per Heyman's report, Brantley's shoulder muscle was re-anchored to the bone -- a serious procedure that could cost him more time than initially believed. In response to Heyman's report, Brantley said, "maybe (Heyman) knows something I don't," according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. The Indians maintain that the expected recovery time is four months, which would mean Brantley would be ready for spring training. This is a murky situation that should continue to develop during the offseason, but those who own Brantley in keeper leagues should be aware that he may not be ready for Opening Day next year.

Cabrera (knee) remains in the lineup Thursday, hitting third and manning first base against the Indians.

He hit a home run and narrowly missed hitting a second big fly in Wednesday's rain-shortened game. While manager Brad Ausmus admitted after the game that Cabrera is hobbled by a knee issue, it seems unlikely he will miss time as long as the Tigers stay in the postseason hunt. They enter Thursday one game back of the Orioles in the chase for the second wild-card spot in the American League.

Harper (thumb) is out of Thursday's lineup against the Diamondbacks, CSN Mid-Atlantic's Chase Hughes reports.

This doesn't come as a major surprise, as the Nationals are being cautious with their star right fielder with the division sewn up. Thursday marks the fourth game in a row that Harper will miss with the thumb injury, with Michael Taylor getting the start in right field.