MLB Player News
-
Justin Turner DH | CHC
Red Sox's Justin Turner: Big game Saturday
Turner went 3-for-4 with a double, a solo homer and an additional RBI and run scored in Saturday's win over the Dodgers.
Turner blasted a solo homer in the fourth inning, doubled and scored a run in the sixth, and added a run-scoring single in the seventh. The veteran's three-hit performance raised his second-half batting average to .293 alongside eight homers, 32 RBI and 21 runs across 116 at-bats.
-
Mark Vientos 1B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Expected back Sunday
Vientos (wrist) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Sunday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Vientos played in a rehab game with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, and it's apparently the only one he will need. The rookie infielder has been out since mid-August with left wrist tendinitis. He had been seeing regular action at third base before the injury and should return to playing almost every day.
-
Mike Ford DH | MIN
Mariners' Mike Ford: Blasts 12th homer
Ford went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and an additional run scored in Saturday's 15-2 win over the Royals.
Ford capped off a seven-run rally in the third inning with a two-run homer to right field. The 31-year-old had been mired in a lengthy slump prior to Saturday's contest, managing only six hits (one home run) and racking up 20 strikeouts in his previous 50 at-bats.
-
Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Sits down against lefty
Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Atlanta, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Pederson will retreat to the bench with left-handed starter Max Fried on the mound Saturday for Atlanta. Heliot Ramos will take over in left field in Pederson's absence, and Wilmer Flores will serve as San Francisco's DH.
-
Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Still lacks clear return timeline
Buxton (hamstring) was spotted shagging flyballs in center field Friday in Arlington but he remains without a clear timeline to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's still building up and getting where he needs to be for us to take the next step," manager Rocco Baldelli said, when asked about Buxton's status.
Buxton has been on the shelf since Aug. 4 with a right hamstring strain. The Twins still anticipate Buxton making his return from the 10-day injured list at some point in September, but until he reaches the point in his recovery program where he's ready for a rehab assignment, a target date for his activation won't be available. Buxton has served exclusively as a designated hitter this season, but the fact that he was seen in the outfield Friday adds credence to the notion that the Twins are planning on having him make at least a handful of starts in center field once he's activated.
-
Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Belt: On bench against lefty
Belt will sit against lefty Logan Allen and the Guardians on Saturday.
Belt has started against just five southpaws all season, so it's no surprise to see him hit the bench here. Bo Bichette will rest his legs as the designated hitter, with Santiago Espinal starting at shortstop.
-
Mark Vientos 1B | NYM
Mets' Mark Vientos: Begins rehab assignment
Vientos (wrist) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, MLB.com reports.
Vientos doubled, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs while playing 10 innings at third base in his first rehab game. He is eligible for activation Saturday and it sounds like his return to the Mets is imminent. Vientos has been out since mid-August with left wrist tendinitis.
-
Christopher Morel 1B | NYM
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Sits again Friday
Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against Pittsburgh.
Friday marks the fourth time Morel has been held out of the lineup in the Cubs' last five games as he continues to slump at the plate. Jeimer Candelario will serve as Chicago's designated hitter in Morel's absence while Nick Madrigal starts at third base.
-
Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Mets' Daniel Vogelbach: Sits down against lefty
Vogelbach isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels.
Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will draw the start Friday for the Angels, so the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will retreat to the bench to begin the game. DJ Stewart will take over as the Mets' designated hitter as Jeff McNeil shifts to right field and Danny Mendick mans second base.
-
Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: In lineup at designated hitter
Ohtani is started at designated hitter and batting second in Friday's game versus the Mets, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.
Ohtani was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow earlier this week, an injury which will keep him from pitching for the rest of the season at minimum. He plans to continue hitting though, at least until a decision is made about possible surgery. Ohtani has clubbed a league-leading 44 home runs this season.