MLB Player News

Baker will serve as the Cardinals' designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Though he's back in the lineup for the series finale, Baker looks poised to lose out on a regular starting role against right-handed pitching with the Cardinals seemingly planning to deploy the recently recalled Jordan Walker in an everyday role. With Walker settling in as the Cardinals' primary right fielder, Alec Burleson should serve as St. Louis' designated hitter in most games, though the lefty-hitting Burleson will get a rare day off Sunday against Yankees lefty Nestor Cortes.

Manzardo was recalled from Triple-A Columbus and is batting sixth as the designated hitter against the Pirates on Sunday, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The 24-year-old is one of the organization's top prospects and will immediately enter the lineup as he joins the big club for the stretch run. Manzardo posted a .207/.241/.329 slash line with a 26.4 percent strikeout rate over 30 games in his first taste of the big leagues earlier this season, and he isn't guaranteed to have a regular place in the lineup.

Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-6 win against Arizona.

Ohtani set off an explosive first inning for Los Angeles, leading off with a first-pitch solo shot to center field that was followed by consecutive homers by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, it was the first time in franchise history that the team began a contest with three straight homers. For Ohtani, it was another entry into the team's record book following last week's securing of the first 40-40 season in franchise history. He's now up to 44 home runs and 43 thefts on the campaign -- no other player in major-league history has reached both those marks in the same season.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

The top two hitters in the Oakland order, Rooker and Lawrence Butler, accounted for all the team's offense and four of its five hits on the night. Rooker closed the books on a productive August that saw him slash .275/.365/.538 with seven homers, 14 RBI and 16 runs in 24 games, and Saturday's steal was his eighth of the year -- doubling his previous career high set in 2023. The 29-year-old needs just nine more RBI to reach 100 for the first time in his career.

The Rangers recalled Foscue from Triple-A Round Rock on Saturday.

Foscue went just 1-for-17 with seven strikeouts during his most recent stint in the majors in late July. However, he's bounced back nicely since then, putting up a .964 OPS alongside six homers and 18 RBI across 117 plate appearances in Triple-A. He'll have a hard time carving out playing time behind Marcus Semien and Josh Smith, though he could be used occasionally as a designated hitter against left-handers.

The Guardians will recall Manzardo from Triple-A Columbus on Sunday, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

Manzardo slashed .207/.241/.329 with seven RBI across 87 plate appearances during his first stint in the majors earlier in the season, and he'll now get another chance to prove himself in Cleveland as rosters expand to 28 players Sunday. He'll likely see most of his opportunities as a DH while with the Guardians.

Garver went 2-for-5 with a two-run double in a win over the Angels on Friday.

Drawing a second consecutive start for the first time since Aug. 9-10, Garver delivered his first multi-hit effort since July 26. In the process, the veteran snapped a 14-game RBI drought with his double, which plated Jorge Polanco and Justin Turner as part of a five-run first inning for the Mariners. Garver has now reached the 40-RBI threshold for the season and has impressively knocked 28 of his 54 hits for extra bases, but the second-highest strikeout rate of his career (31.5 percent) and a .215 BABIP have led to an abysmal .166/.286/.326 slash line.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 5-1 win over the White Sox.

The veteran slugger took Jonathan Cannon deep in the third inning, Martinez's 16th homer of the year and fourth in his last 10 games. He's slashing .256/.275/.590 over that 10-game stretch with a 1:17 BB:K, numbers that reflect his 2024 struggles, but the 37-year-old is still within striking distance of his ninth career 20-homer campaign.

Stanton isn't in the Yankees' lineup for Saturday's game against the Cardinals.

Stanton will get a breather Saturday after going 1-for-4 with a run scored and three strikeouts in Friday's series opener. Aaron Judge will replace him as New York's designated hitter, opening up center field for Trent Grisham to start and bat seventh.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, a stolen base and two total runs scored in Friday's 10-9 win over the Diamondbacks.

Ohtani's latest impressive performance saw him record his 43rd homer and 43rd steal of 2024, making him the first player in major-league history to reach both marks in the same season. After a bumpy start to August, Ohtani has come on strong by hitting safely in 10 of the last 12 games. In that span, he's gone 16-for-49 (.327) with six homers, 10 RBI and eight steals. He's up to a .294/.379/.620 slash line while adding 96 RBI, 106 runs scored, 30 doubles and six triples through 132 contests this year. After Friday, the Dodgers have 27 games left for Ohtani to take a run at becoming the charter member of the 50-50 club.