MLB Player News

Canha isn't starting Thursday against the Cubs.

Canha is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak in which he's gone 4-for-14 with a solo home run, four walks and six strikeouts. However, Jeff McNeil will shift to left field while Luis Guillorme starts at second base Thursday.

Jimenez (leg) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Twins.

Jimenez exited Wednesday's game against the Guardians due to right leg tightness and will be held out of the lineup for at least one matchup. AJ Pollock is starting in left field and batting seventh.

The Twins promoted Encarnacion-Strand from High-A Cedar Rapids to Double-A Wichita on Thursday.

Encarnacion-Strand had a .296/.370/.599 slash line with 20 home runs at High-A and earned Midwest League Player of the Month honors in both April and June. He's increased his walk rate (to 9.3 percent), slightly lowered his strikeout rate (25.8 percent in 2022, 28.3 percent in 2021) and increased his power (.303 ISO in 2022, .207 in 2021), so there are signs he can keep up his success at Double-A with an improved approach at the plate.

Blackmon isn't starting Thursday's game against the Padres.

Blackmon has swung a hot bat recently, slashing .429/.455/.762 with a homer, a triple, two doubles, five RBI and three runs over the last five games. However, he'll get a breather while Kris Bryant serves as the designated hitter with Yonathan Daza entering the lineup in center field.

Winker went 2-for-8 with two solo home runs across both ends of Wednesday's doubleheader sweep of the Nationals.

Making his return to the lineup from a six-game suspension, Winker took Josiah Gray deep in the fourth inning of the matinee before repeating the feat in the sixth inning of the nightcap against Erick Fedde. The 28-year-old outfielder needed some time to adjust following an offseason trade from Cincinnati, but he appears to have found his groove in Seattle, slashing .288/.405/.530 in 21 games over the last month with four of his eight homers on the season.

Canha went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-3 win over Atlanta.

He took Charlie Morton deep in the sixth inning, helping to chase the veteran right-hander from the game. Canha snapped a 14-game homer drought with the blast, and during that span he batted only .217 (10-for-46). However, on the season the veteran outfielder has been fairly productive with a .273/.371/.383 slash line, seven home runs, 31 RBI and 40 runs through 74 games.

Vogelbach will sit Thursday against the Marlins.

Vogelbach will get a day off Thursday as the Pirates face left-hander Braxton Garrett. Yoshi Tsutsugo will start at designated hitter while Michael Chavis is batting third and starting at first base versus Miami.

Ohtani (9-4) allowed one run on four hits and two walks with 12 strikeouts in six innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Astros. He also went 2-for-4 with a two-run triple, a run scored and a walk at the plate.

Ohtani's two-way talent was once again on full display. He allowed an earned run for the first time since June 9 -- he'd covered 26.2 innings while allowing just one unearned run in his previous four starts. As a hitter, his second-inning two-run triple gave the Angels a 3-0 lead, which he succeeded in protecting. The right-hander now sports a 2.38 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 123:22 K:BB after his fourth straight start with double-digit strikeouts. His batting numbers remain strong as well, as he's up to a .258/.347/.494 slash line with 19 home runs, 56 RBI, 50 runs scored, 10 stolen bases, 15 doubles and two triples in 369 plate appearances.

Belt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI on Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

Belt took Zac Gallen yard in the seventh inning to record his seventh homer of the season. Across his last four games, Belt has gone 8-for-11 with two homers, two doubles, three RBI and four runs scored. For the season, he owns a .239/.354/.415 line in 189 plate appearances.

Morel went 1-for-3 with a walk, a triple and a run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Orioles.

Morel scored the Cubs' lone run in the 7-1 defeat. The rookie showcased his speed, recording his fourth triple of the season through 51 games. He's also popped nine home runs and stolen seven bases, so Morel has been able to have a decent fantasy impact during his MLB debut. He did come into the night striking out nearly 32 percent of the time, so some ups and downs should be expected, but Morel has the talent to deliver good stats the rest of the way.