MLB Player News

Vientos went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 11-6 loss to the Nationals.

The rookie took Andres Machado deep in the ninth inning for a solo shot after ripping an RBI double in the second. Vientos has started five of the last seven games -- three at DH and two at third base -- and he figures to keep a near-everyday role after Tuesday's trade deadline, especially if the Mets ship out players like Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. Vientos is earning that playing time, hitting .333 (7-for-21) since his most recent promotion with two doubles and a homer, but his 1:7 BB:K over that seven-game stretch suggests his batting average will fade even if his power is legit.

Buxton went 3-for-3 with three doubles, two runs scored and two RBI in Saturday's 10-7 loss to the Royals.

He was also hit by a pitch. Buxton clawed his way back over the Mendoza Line with the performance, but his .206/.295/.436 slash line remains far below expectations. The 29-year-old also has yet to play a game in the field in 2023, making all his starts at DH, and it's fair to wonder if his surgically repaired right knee has ever been 100 percent healthy in 2023.

Alvarez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and three runs scored Saturday against the Rays.

Alvarez's home run came off backup catcher Rene Pinto, though he was having a productive game before his 18th long ball of the season. He has at least one hit in all three games since returning from the injured list and is showing no lingering effects of the oblique issue that cost him 39 games. When healthy, Alvarez has maintained an impressive .418 wOBA and 172 wRC+ across 255 plate appearances on the season.

Rooker went 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three RBI in Saturday's 11-3 win over the Rockies.

Rooker hit a two-run blast in the second inning and added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to pad Oakland's lead. After a week-long absence with an illness, Rooker has played in three straight games, going 5-for-10 in that span. The 28-year-old appeared to be losing playing time prior to his absence, but he looks like the Athletics' preferred designated hitter for now. He's slashing .248/.342/.479 with 17 homers, 47 RBI, 35 runs scored and two stolen bases through 86 contests overall.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three total runs and four total RBI in Saturday's 11-5 win against the Brewers.

Ozuna racked up 10 total bases in the contest, doubling home a run in the first inning, swatting a solo homer in the fifth and adding a two-run shot in the seventh. The veteran had been in a prolonged slump prior to the series against the Brewers, going 4-for-49 with just one long ball over his previous 14 games. However, he's broken out in the first two contests versus Milwaukee this weekend, going 5-for-8 with three homers, two doubles and five RBI.

Ford isn't in the Mariners' lineup Saturday against Arizona.

Ford is currently in the middle of an 0-for-13 stretch at the plate across his last four games, so he'll take a seat Saturday to regroup. Cal Raleigh will fill in as Seattle's designated hitter, allowing Tom Murphy to start behind the dish and bat seventh.

Blackmon (hand) participated in batting practice Saturday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports

Blackmon was cleared to resume swinging a bat Sunday and has now begun to ramp up the intensity. Blackmon has been held out since June 11 with a fractured right hand, and he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the Rockies lineup.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Boston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-3 with a solo home run Friday, Pederson will take a seat Saturday against left-hander James Paxton. Michael Conforto will slide into the DH spot while Pederson sits, allowing Austin Slater to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot.

Ohtani (calves) will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and bat second Saturday against Toronto, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Ohtani has exited early in both of the Angels' last two games, the first time due to cramping in his back and the second time due to cramping in both of his calves. After being re-evaluated Saturday, Ohtani looks like he'll be able to stay in the lineup and serve in his usual DH role, though the Angels will likely keep a close eye on him to ensure his recent cramping doesn't develop into a lingering issue. The two-way star has gone 5-for-18 with four homers, five RBI and seven runs scored in his last five games while also tossing a one-hit shutout during that stretch.

Belt isn't starting Saturday against the Angels.

Southpaw Reid Detmers will start on the mound for Los Angeles, meaning Belt will remain in the dugout for the start of Saturday's game. Danny Jansen will instead serve as Toronto's DH while Alejandro Kirk starts behind the plate and bats seventh.