MLB Player News

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Launches clutch homer

    Stanton went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two walks in Sunday's 4-3 extra-innings win against the Brewers.

    The Yankees didn't get a hit through 10 innings but managed to keep the game tied on the strength of another outstanding Gerrit Cole start. After both teams plated a run in the 11th, Milwaukee scored twice in the top of the 12th. Stanton responded as the leadoff batter in the bottom of the frame, launching a 419-foot, two-run shot to center field to tie the score, and New York emerged with the victory in the 13th. Stanton's long ball was his 23rd of the campaign and was his only hit over his past four contests, a stretch during which he's gone 1-for-13.

  • Joc Pederson DH | TEX

    Giants' Joc Pederson: Slugs homer in win

    Pederson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

    Pederson snapped a 13-game homer drought with his fifth-inning blast Sunday. During the power dry spell, he hit .275 with five RBI and four extra-base hits. The 31-year-old outfielder is up to 13 homers this year while adding 47 RBI, 52 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples and a .246/.353/.430 slash line over 103 contests. He continues to split time between left field and designated hitter against right-handed pitchers.

  • Cubs' Christopher Morel: Triples, homers in win

    Morel went 2-for-4 with a triple and a solo home run in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

    Morel served as the DH and batted first, and he had a big impact on the game, launching his 21st home run of the season in the third inning. He also added just his second triple of the year. Morel had seen a dip in playing time recently, but with Jeimer Candelario (back) departing Sunday's contest early, there could be a bigger role available for the former in the near future.

  • Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD

    Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Still sitting Sunday

    Ohtani (oblique) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

    It's the seventh consecutive absence for Ohtani as he continues to manage inflammation in his right oblique. The two-way star won't return to the mound this season due to a torn UCL in his right elbow that will eventually require surgery, but manager Phil Nevin indicated Ohtani could return as the Halos' designated hitter as early as Monday in Seattle, per Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times.

  • Mets' Daniel Vogelbach: Sitting against righty

    Vogelbach is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

    Vogelbach will typically find himself on the bench against left-handed pitchers, but he's sitting Sunday despite righty Pablo Lopez being on the mound for Minnesota. Mark Vientos will bat seventh as the Mets' designated hitter.

  • J.D. Martinez DH | NYM

    Dodgers' J.D. Martinez: Out of Sunday's lineup

    Martinez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game at Washington, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

    Martinez was reinstated from the injured list Friday and started the past two games, but he'll take a seat Sunday after going 4-for-8 with a double, a homer, three RBI and two runs. Max Muncy will receive a turn as the Dodgers' designated hitter with Chris Taylor starting at third base.

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