MLB Player News

Blackmon went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 7-3 win over the Padres.

Blackmon has produced a trio of multi-hit efforts over his last five games. He also put an end to a power drought Friday, as the homer was his first since July 22. The veteran is up to a .256/.328/.402 slash line with eight homers, 40 RBI, 47 runs scored and five stolen bases through 92 contests. Despite middling results, Blackmon remains the Rockies' leadoff hitter versus right-handed pitchers.

McCutchen was removed from Friday's game against the Mariners due to left knee discomfort.

McCutchen suffered the injury while running to first base on a single in the seventh inning, and he was immediately lifted for a pinch runner. The severity of his injury has yet to be determined, leaving his status for Saturday up in the air.

Larnach is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Rangers.

The Twins are facing a third straight lefty in Andrew Heaney and Larnach has been on the bench for the last two of them. Matt Wallner is in left field and Royce Lewis will be the team's designated hitter.

O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Red Sox, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The Red Sox are going with a left-handed opener in Brennan Bernardino followed by an expected right-handed bulk reliever in Cooper Criswell, so O'Hearn could be a candidate to enter mid-game. Eloy Jimenez will begin the contest at designated hitter.

Larnach isn't in the Twins' lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

The lefty-hitting Larnach will get a breather Thursday while southpaw Cody Bradford starts on the bump for Texas. Manuel Margot, Austin Martin and Max Kepler will make up the Twins' outfield while Larnach sits.

Jimenez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Red Sox.

Jimenez made four straight starts from Aug. 3-7 but has not started consecutive games over the past week. Each of his last two starts have been against left-handers, as he now looks to be pegged for a short-side platoon at designated hitter with Ryan O'Hearn.

The Angels designated Calhoun for assignment Thursday, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Calhoun has been the Angels' primary designated hitter and cleanup man against right-handed pitching since he was added to the roster back in early May. However, after slashing just .245/.315/.380 over 254 plate appearances, the Halos have decided to remove him from the 26-man and 40-man rosters. Calhoun seems likely to clear waivers. Manager Ron Washington could opt to filter through multiple players at DH down the stretch.

The Orioles recalled Soto from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Soto was acquired from the Reds at the trade deadline but has yet to see any action with the Orioles. He'll provide more defensive versatility than the player he will replace on the roster in Coby Mayo, who was optioned to Triple-A.

Rooker (personal) is expected to return from the paternity list Saturday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

He'll miss a second straight game Thursday against the Mets following the birth of his new child but Rooker looks like he'll be ready to go coming out of the Athletics' off day Friday for the start of a two-game set versus the Giants. Rooker had put up three straight multi-hit games before going on the paternity list and has a .910 OPS over 38 at-bats in August.

Malloy will start in left field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Malloy had a pinch-hit single in the first game of the series and reached base three times in the second contest after being a late addition to the lineup. That's earned him not only another start in the series finale, but also his first-ever look at the leadoff spot.