MLB Player News
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Belt: Exits early Monday
Belt was removed from Monday's game against the Rangers due to lower back muscle spasms.
Belt will be considered day-to-day until further notice. Spencer Horwitz stepped into the DH spot in Belt's place.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Marlins' Jorge Soler: Starts hitting progression
Soler (oblique) has been cleared to begin a hitting progression, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Soler has been rehabbing from a right oblique strain in Miami, and he's been cleared to start ramping up his baseball activities. He'll be eligible to return from the 10-day injured list Sept. 16 against Atlanta, though it's unclear if he'll be ready to go after missing the minimum.
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Bryce Harper DH | PHI
Phillies' Bryce Harper: Homers, scores three runs in loss
Harper went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Game 1 of Monday's doubleheader against Atlanta.
His two-run game-tying blast came with two-outs in the ninth to send the game to extras. Harper entered the opening game of Monday's double-header with a modest four-game hit streak that only slightly masked a 4-for-32 homer-less slump over his past nine games. Harper is now slashing .296/.396/.484 with 16 homers, 60 RBI, 71 runs and nine steals in 405 at-bats over 109 games.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Late scratch Monday
Ohtani (oblique) has been scratched from Monday's game against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.
Ohtani was set to make his return to the starting nine after missing time with a tight right oblique, but he'll be held out at the last moment. The star two-way player didn't feel right when taking swings in the batting cage, so the club will push his return back by at least one day, per Bollinger. Mike Moustakas will take his place in the DH slot and hit fourth.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Padres' Matt Carpenter: Playing time picking up
Carpenter has started four of the Padres' past seven games after logging just 14 plate appearances across all of August.
Carpenter's increase in playing time has followed Jake Cronenworth (wrist) going on the injured list in late August. Three of Carpenter's past four starts have come at first base, and he's gone 2-for-10 with a home run, two RBI and a 4:5 BB:K during that stretch. The veteran is slashing a meager .176/.322/.319 on the campaign, but he may continue to see opportunities down the stretch, though it's unlikely he becomes an everyday starter.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Gets evening off
Ozuna is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader with the Phillies.
Ozuna has cooled a bit since his recent power surge and went 0-for-4 in the first game of Monday's twin bill, so manager Brian Snitker decided to prevent him from playing a full nine innings in the nightcap. Ronald Acuna will serve as Atlanta's designated hitter Monday night, and Kevin Pillar will replace Acuna in right field.
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Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Mets' Daniel Vogelbach: Losing playing time
Vogelbach remains on the bench for Monday's game against the Diamondbacks.
The lefty-hitting Vogelbach will take a seat against a right-handed starting pitcher (Zach Davies) for the third time in four matchups. Though Vogelbach has maintained an excellent .995 OPS over his last 20 games, he looks as though he'll lose out on playing time down the stretch while the Mets prioritize youngsters Mark Vientos and Brett Baty at designated hitter.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Belt: Rejoins starting nine
Belt (illness) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.
A back issue and an illness prevented Belt from starting Toronto's last eight games, but he has recovered from both and is ready to return to action. He will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup for the Blue Jays on Monday night.