MLB Player News

Blackmon is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon mustered only five hits in 31 at-bats over his last eight games, so he will get a day to rest.

Harper (thumb) will take batting practice on the field Monday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Harper has not gotten in any cuts in an open setting since undergoing surgery on his left thumb, but he is set to do just that Monday. According to interim manager Rob Thomson, Harper is "progressing well" and is "getting closer to minor-league games.'

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera will remain on the bench Sunday for the fourth time in the past five games. The 39-year-old's playing time has dropped over the past week since he's managing lingering knee pain, and it appears he'll continue splitting time for the foreseeable future. Harold Castro will shift to designated hitter while Kody Clemens starts at first base.

Turner is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Turner started four straight games after being activated from the injured list, but he will get a breather Sunday. Chris Taylor and Joey Gallo will both start with Turner opening the game on the bench.

Reyes went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's victory over Cincinnati.

Reyes has been on fire since being designated for assignment by Cleveland earlier this month. In three games with the Cubs, the slugger is 5-for-12, thanks in part to Saturday's two-hit performance. The two-run shot that also scored Seiya Suzuki was his first in a Cubs uniform and his 10th on the year. Since being claimed by Chicago, Reyes has improved his batting average from .213 to .222. His contact woes are still plaguing him in his new home, however, as he has a strikeout in each of his first three games with his new team.

Meneses went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 win over San Diego.

Meneses came up big in the sixth inning, swatting a solo homer to left field that tied the game 3-3. The long ball was his fifth in nine games as a big leaguer and fourth in his past five contests. The 30-year-old has been one of the best feel-good stories in baseball this season, capitalizing on his first major-league opportunity by registering a .387/.441/.871 slash line through 34 plate appearances.

Buxton went 0-for-5 with a stolen base, a hit-by-pitch and three strikeouts in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Buxton didn't get much going at the plate Saturday, but he was able to generate a little value in his one trip on base. The steal was his fourth of the year and his second in his last nine games, a span in which he's hit just .233 (7-for-30). Buxton has started each of the last two contests in center field, though he may be due for a rest soon as the Twins continue to manage the oft-injured outfielder's workload. He's slashing .219/.300/.537 with 27 home runs, 49 RBI and 58 runs scored through 85 games this season.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 5-3 extra-innings win over the Twins.

Ohtani got the Angels on the board with his eighth-inning blast. In the 10th, he was intentionally walked, but he got doubled off at first base after Luis Rengifo lined out to center field. The homer was Ohtani's fourth in August and his 26th of the year. The superstar is slashing .253/.346/.499 with 67 RBI, 63 runs scored and 11 stolen bases through 474 plate appearances.

Ramirez (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Sunday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez took batting practice Saturday and apparently felt well afterward. Topkin notes that Ramirez could be back within the next week. Ramirez has filled several roles with the Rays this season -- he's played at first base, in the outfield and at designated hitter -- and that is likely to continue upon his return.

Stanton (Achilles) is targeting going through a full pregame routine by Monday and will hopefully begin a rehab assignment next week, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Achilles tendinitis has kept Stanton on the sidelines since late July, but he's made progress in recent days. The Yankees still have a comfortable 10-game lead atop the American League East, so they can afford to be cautious with Stanton, but it appears as though he's trending in the right direction.