MLB Player News
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Reaches base three times Tuesday
Pederson went 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs and an RBI in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Phillies.
Pederson did a good job staying within himself and working his way on base while those around him did the heavy lifting. His 12.2-percent walk rate represents a career-low since cracking the majors in 2014, but still allows the patient young outfielder to contribute even when the hits aren't coming.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Smacks two-run homer against Phillies
Turner went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Phillies.
Turner followed the examples of Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal, as each of the three managed to hit a two-run homer off starter Vince Velasquez. The third baseman established a new career high with his 56th run of the season, and added to career highs in homers and RBI. A late bloomer, Turner has become a key piece for a contending Dodgers team over the past two seasons after being bandied about the league for years.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton: Will sit Wednesday with sore hip
Stanton will be held out of Wednesday's lineup due to hip soreness, but the injury is not considered serious, the Miami Herald's Clark Spencer reports.
He went 1-for-2 with a RBI double and a walk Tuesday before being replaced by a pinch hitter, so something likely happened with his hip during Tuesday's game. Derek Dietrich and Ichiro Suzuki are options to replace Stanton in the lineup Wednesday. The Marlins are off Thursday, which will provide Stanton with an extra day of rest. He should be considered day-to-day in advance of this weekend's series against the White Sox.
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Smashes 14th homer of 2016 on Tuesday
Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a double, a solo homer and two runs Tuesday against the Rangers.
Blackmon led off the home half of the first inning with his 14th homer of the season in a game the Rockies would go on to lose. He's gotten off to a great start in August, as he's collected 12 hits -- two of which left the yard -- over eight games and he's slashing .308/.370/.485 on the year. He's currently posting career-highs in both on-base and slugging percentage while his batting average is just a single point short of his 2013 mark.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Indians' Michael Brantley: Still dealing with biceps tendinitis
Brantley has been diagnosed with a reoccurence of biceps tendinitis, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
The Tribe recently sent Brantley to New York for a follow-up exam after he reportedly hit a wall in his attempt to ramp up his rehab program. Brantley underwent a procedure last month to remove scar tissue from his surgically-repaired shoulder, and it's uncertain how long he'll remain shut down following this setback. At this point, it would be a surprise if Brantley made it back before rosters expand, if at all this season.
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Yoenis Cespedes DH | NYM
Mets' Yoenis Cespedes: Takes batting practice Tuesday
Cespedes (quad) took batting practice Tuesday, Matt Ehalt of the Record reports.
The Mets' slugger is continuing to make progress with rehabbing his injured quad, so it appears that he'll be back in action soon after becoming eligible on August 18. Until Cespedes returns, Alejandro De Aza and Brandon Nimmo will likely continue to split time in his outfield spot.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Remains out of lineup with stiff neck
Harper (neck) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Indians, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
The Nationals have said that Harper's neck isn't seriously injured and that it's simply feeling stiff, so they'll continue to be cautious with the reigning NL MVP. Chris Heisey will cover right field during Harper's absence.
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Brad Miller DH | SD
Rays' Brad Miller: Excels in first game at new position
Miller was error-free in his first game at first base Monday and also went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBI and a run against the Blue Jays, Bill Chastain of the team's offical site reports.
The converted shortstop found success both in the field and in the batter's box, plating Logan Forsythe and Evan Longoria with a game-tying two-bagger in the fifth and blasting another double as well. Miller was also smooth at first, scooping up a hard shot from Josh Donaldson in the first and recording the out himself and successfully holding several runners at first in conjunction with starter Jake Odorizzi. The 26-year-old reported being relatively comfortable in those situations, and found that positioning himself correctly on balls hit away from him was a more challenging aspect of his new infield spot. "I think the thing for me that was a little uncomfortable was when the ball went into the outfield and things started going in motion," Miller said. "You react from where you're comfortable at, and I had to really think about where I needed to be. That was something a couple of times I just have to be in a better spot. Those were the ones that were a little tough." Miller is still expected to start some games at his natural position during the rest of the season, but shortstop will primarily be manned by the newly-acquired Matt Duffy once he returns from his DL stint due to an Achilles injury.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Indians' Michael Brantley: Rehab stalls again
Brantley (shoulder) has again been stalled in his recovery attempts, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.
Brantley had been making strides in what has been a long road to recovery following labrum surgery. Nonetheless, this new setback will certainly put his chances of returning this season in serious doubt. The 29-year-old has not played since May and remains without a definitive timetable.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Returns to lineup Monday
Pederson is back in the Dodgers' lineup for Monday's matchup against the Phillies.
Pederson was on the bench for two consecutive games against southpaws but will have his left-handed bat back in the lineup Monday against Philadelphia's right-handed starter Zach Eflin. Pederson is hitting a meaty .255/.344/.510 with 15 of his 16 home runs in 85 games against right-handed pitching this season.