MLB Player News

Blackmon isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Blackmon started the last three games and went 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Connor Joe serves as the designated hitter and bats seventh.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Athletics.

Alvarez was held out of the lineup Wednesday, likely due to lingering soreness in his hand or at the very least for maintenance purposes for said hand. However, he appeared healthy in his return to the lineup and delivered an RBI double in the third inning. Alvarez is now riding a six-game hitting streak during which he's hit .450 with three RBI and seven runs scored. For the campaign, he's slashing .295/.403/.598 across 494 plate appearances.

Alvarez (hand) is starting Thursday against the Athletics.

Manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez was held out of the lineup Wednesday due to hand soreness -- though the slugger disputed that notion after the game -- and he'll start in left field and bat third a day later. He's recorded hits in each of his last five games and has posted a 1.069 OPS with two home runs, three doubles, six runs, two RBI, six walks and two strikeouts during that span.

Canha isn't starting Thursday against the Pirates.

Canha has hit .269 with a home run, two doubles, five runs and four RBI over his last seven games but will be out of the lineup for the first time since Aug. 25. Tyler Naquin is starting in left field and batting eighth.

Soler (back) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

It was reported earlier in the week that Soler was not expected back in 2022, so this is primarily a procedural move that opens up a spot on the Marlins' 40-man roster. Injuries limited Soler to just 72 games this season, and he posted a .695 OPS when available, so it seems likely he will exercise the $15 million player option on his contract for next season.

Morel went 0-for-3 with two walks and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Mets. He also stole a base.

Morel was busy despite not having any hits, walking and scoring in the first inning, then walking and stealing second base in the ninth. The rookie now has 10 stolen bases this season to go along with 13 home runs across 96 games. Provided he plays a full season in the majors in 2023, Morel could push toward the 15-to-20 range in each category, which would give him some definite fantasy appeal.

Harper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's victory over the Marlins.

With the Phillies down 1-0 in the top of the sixth, Harper took a 3-2 changeup from Edward Cabrera 404 feet to left center for his 17th long ball of the season. The homer was his second in the month of September, during which he is batting .194 with four RBI and six runs scored. The homer Wednesday coincides with a modest four-game hitting streak, as he looks to finish the season strong and record his ninth career 20-homer season.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-1 loss against Toronto.

Ramirez accounted for all of Tampa Bay's offense Wednesday, crushing a sinker from Ross Stripling to left to make the score 5-1. After working through a 3-for-26 slump, he has recorded hits in his last two games. The homer gives Ramirez six on the season and improved his slugging percentage to .429, which would be the best of his career.

Turner is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game at Arizona, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Turner started the past seven games and slashed .259/.355/.630 with three home runs and eight RBI during that stretch. but he'll head to the bench after the Dodgers secured the NL West crown with a win Tuesday. Max Muncy will move to the hot corner Wednesday while Will Smith rests his legs as the designated hitter.

Alvarez said after Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Tigers that his absence from the lineup was for maintenance purposes rather than due to any recurring hand soreness, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Prior to the game, manager Dusty Baker alluded to Alvarez's absence being the result of soreness, but the 25-year-old slugger was adamant that his health wasn't an issue. Alvarez noted that he was available off the bench if needed, but Mauricio Dubon was the only reserve position player who saw action in the series finale. While it's good news that Alvarez seemed to push back at the notion that his hand soreness has cropped up again, fantasy managers will still want to see him re-enter the lineup Thursday against the Athletics to get some peace of mind.