MLB Player News

Pederson is out of the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres will send southpaw Blake Snell to the mound to begin the game, meaning the lefty-hitting Pederson will stay put in the dugout. Wade Meckler, Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger will man the Giants' outfield while Pederson sits.

Soler (hip) isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against Washington, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler has now missed four starts due to right hip tightness, and a trip to the injured list could be a possibility if his condition doesn't improve soon. His absence Saturday will move Josh Bell into the DH spot and Luis Arraez to first base while Xavier Edwards starts at second.

Martinez (groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday and is expected to return to the major-league Dodgers on Sept. 8 against Washington, MLB.com reports.

Martinez has been on the injured list since Aug. 22 but appears to be making progress toward a return. The veteran slugger is slated to play in a simulated game Saturday ahead of kicking off a rehab stint Sunday. If all goes well, Martinez will return to the big club for the first game of next weekend's three-game set in Washington, and he will likely resume duties as Los Angeles' regular DH.

Stanton went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a walk against the Astros in Friday's 6-2 victory.

Stanton hit one of four Yankees homers against Justin Verlander, smashing a 433-foot two-run shot in the third inning. The long ball was his second in three contests and his 21st of the year over 84 games. Stanton's 14.7 AB/HR on the campaign is in line with his career mark, but his .728 OPS and all three marks in his .205/.283/.445 slash line will be his lowest as a major leaguer if he isn't able to pick up the pace over the closing weeks of the campaign.

Martini started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 3-2 win over the Cubs in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the matinee.

Martini, who had an early impact after the Reds selected his contract in August, has slipped since, going 3-for-16 over the last six games. Jake Fraley's return from the injured list should limit Martini's plate appearances over the final month of the season.

Loftin went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 13-2 win over the Red Sox.

Loftin's MLB debut can be considered a success as he was one of six Royals with multiple hits in the blowout win. The infield prospect slashed .270/.344/.444 with a 13.1 percent strikeout rate and 9.7 percent walk rate over 82 games with Triple-A Omaha this year. With the Royals playing out the string, there should be plenty of chances for Loftin to get accustomed to the majors in September, especially since he boasts defensive versatility.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers.

Ozuna ended August with seven homers over his last 10 games, and he kept that prodigious power streak going right into September. Across his last 11 games, he's batting .488 (20-for-41) with 12 extra-base hits. Prior to the surge, Ozuna was batting .249 and slugging .477 -- those marks are now at .272 and .543, respectively. He's up to 32 homers, 76 RBI, 71 runs scored and 20 doubles through 118 contests.

Buxton experienced soreness in the patella tendon of his right knee while playing for Triple-A St. Paul on Friday as the DH, and he was removed from the game after two at-bats, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton played the first game of his rehab assignment Wednesday, which was his first game in center field this year. He then had an off day Thursday. This sounds like a setback which could put his return from the injured list in doubt, as the Twins had been hoping he could return and play center field on a semi-regular basis in September. Buxton has been on the injured list since Aug. 4 with a strained right hamstring and has served exclusively as a designated hitter in the majors this season due to limitations related to his September 2022 right knee surgery.

Miller (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment Friday with Double-A Frisco.

Miller will likely continue the rehab stint through the weekend before returning to the Rangers' active major-league roster early next week. He's been on the injured list since Aug. 2 because of a left hamstring strain.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against St. Louis.

McCutchen will get a breather Friday after going just 1-for-20 across his last six games. Endy Rodriguez will fill in as Pittsburgh's designated hitter, allowing Jason Delay to start behind the plate.