MLB Player News

Alvarez went 4-for-4 with three solo home runs Friday against the Athletics.

Alvarez took Adrian Martinez deep in three consecutive at-bats, bringing his homer total to 36 on the season. Though interrupted by some time out of the lineup, Alvarez is now riding a seven-game hitting streak, during which he's hit .542 with five homers, six RBI and 10 runs scored. He's had a stellar campaign overall, maintaining a 1.032 OPS across 502 plate appearances.

Vogelbach went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in Friday's victory over Pittsburgh.

Vogelbach hit a solo shot in the fourth inning that put the Mets up 2-1. It was his 17th homer of the season and his first since Aug. 22. The slugger now has hit safely in back-to-back games after going hitless in his prior two games. Vogelbach has struggled to find consistency at the plate this month, going 8-for-35 with seven strikeouts for a .229 average. He has also picked up eight walks, which has helped him achieve a .372 OBP this month. On the season, Vogelbach is slashing .232/.353/.431.

Ford is not in the lineup for Friday's game versus the Mariners.

Ford started four straight games before taking a seat for Wednesday's matchup with the Guardians, and he finds himself on the bench again Friday. Matt Thaiss will receive another start at first base.

Cabrera (biceps) took full batting practice Friday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera took 40-50 swings in the batting cage Thursday and apparently felt good afterward, as he was cleared to take batting practice on the field. It's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to game action, but his next -- and potentially final -- step is to hit off the velocity machine.

Madris was claimed off waivers by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. He will report to Triple-A Durham.

The Pirates designated Madris for assignment earlier this week, but the Rays apparently see something they like. He slashed .294/.366/.482 with seven home runs, four steals and a 0.46 BB/K in 71 games at Triple-A this season but struggled with a .177 batting average and one home run in 123 plate appearances in the majors.

Ramirez is not in Friday's lineup against the Rangers.

He will surprisingly take a seat even with a lefty (Martin Perez) on the hill for the opposition. Ramirez is hitting .195 with one home run, 11 strikeouts and two walks in 11 games this month. Christian Bethancourt will start at first base and hit sixth.

Ozuna isn't in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Ozuna started Wednesday against the Giants and went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts. However, he'll be out of the lineup for the fourth time in the last six games while William Contreras serves as the designated hitter and bats sixth.

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.