MLB Player News

The Nationals designated Blankenhorn for assignment Friday.

The 28-year-old was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 20 and has now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Blankenhorn has an .821 OPS in 106 games with Rochester this season and could remain with the affiliate if he passes through waivers unclaimed.

Rooker went 2-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Mariners.

Rooker took Bryan Woo deep in the fifth inning and then Andres Munoz in the ninth but still couldn't lead his team to a win. Rooker also extended his hitting streak to a career-best nine games in the process. The 29-year-old now has 35 home runs this season, surpassing Jose Ramirez for fifth most in the American League. Rooker is seeking to become the first Oakland hitter since 2021 to finish a season top five in the American League homer race.

The Mets activated Martinez from the paternity list Thursday, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Martinez missed the series against the Red Sox while tending to more important matters but will be back for his club's weekend series versus the Reds. DJ Stewart was optioned in a corresponding move.

McCutchen (knee) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

McCutchen had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs due to lingering left knee soreness, which is the same injury he just returned from last week. He'll miss a second straight start Thursday and is considered day-to-day. Bryan Reynolds will shift into the designated hitter spot for the Pirates while Billy McKinney handles left field.

Garver went 2-for-5 with a two-run double, an RBI single, a run-scoring groundout and a run in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

Garver had a hand in each of the Mariners' first three runs, driving in Victor Robles and Randy Arozarena with a second-inning double before pushing Robles across again in the third via a timely single. The veteran accounted for Seattle's 15th run of the night hours later in the eighth inning with an RBI groundout, closing the book on his first four-RBI tally in exactly a calendar year and a day. Garver is still limping along with co-career-worst .167 average, but he's managed to record 44 RBI thanks in part to having knocked 29 of his 56 hits for extra bases.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest in San Francisco.

It's a tough left-hander on the hill for the Giants in this one, so the left-handed hitting Pederson will grab a seat. Switch-hitting Josh Bell will get the start at designated hitter for the Diamondbacks.

Martini (thumb) has targeted Sept. 17 as the start of a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville, MLB.com reports.

Martini underwent left thumb surgery in early July and is getting close to being ready for game action. The 34-year-old will hope to make it back to the Reds later this month.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton said McCutchen was scratched from Wednesday's lineup against the Cubs due to the veteran's knee being "a little cranky," Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The 37-year-old was activated from the injured list late last week after missing some time due to knee inflammation, and the injury is apparently still a bit bothersome. Shelton indicated McCutchen will be available off the bench, so it doesn't appear to be a major setback.

McCutchen was scratched from the Pirates' lineup ahead of Wednesday's game versus the Cubs, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's unknown why Pittsburgh took McCutchen out of its lineup, but the team should offer some clarification in the near future. In the meantime, Oneil Cruz will move into the DH spot while Michael Taylor patrols center field.

Aranda went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored Tuesday against the Twins.

Aranda was in the lineup at first base and made his second start in five games since being recalled. So long as the Rays' infield remains healthy, it appears that Aranda will struggle to get consistent playing time. He's gone 2-for-10 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored since being recalled.