MLB Player News

Canha went into Thursday night's game against the Angels having posted a .455 on-base percentage in the 44 plate appearances encompassing the 10 contests since his July 17 return from the injured list.

The veteran has been an especially savvy hitter the last few seasons, but Canha is seemingly taking his craft to a new level of late. His latest busy night on the basepaths heading into Thursday came the night prior, when he went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two walks, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Padres. Canha reached safely in all 10 contests during the sample as well, pushing his season OBP to to an elite .385.

Cabrera went 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk Thursday against the Orioles.

The veteran slugger certainly responded well to Wednesday's day off, coming back Thursday with his first multi-homer performance since May. Cabrera took Alexander Wells deep in the fifth inning and did the same off Adam Plutko in the seventh for his nine and 10th long balls of the year. After being held without a homer over his first 18 games in July, Cabrera has gone yard three times in his last three contests during a 6-for-11 stretch at the plate. He's hitting .247 in 326 plate appearances overall this season with a .679 OPS that would be a career low.

Harper was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals with back spasms, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

It's not believed to be a serious issue, as Harper expects to be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh. The 28-year-old should be considered day-to-day for now.

Harper exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Nationals in the bottom of the third inning with an apparent injury, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper started both ends of the twin bill, reaching base in all four of his plate appearances on the day (one double, three walks) before departing when his second turn through the batting order came up in Game 2. According to Lauber, Harper appeared to be hurting when he made an error in the outfield in the top of the third, so the Phillies opted to pull him from the contest to further evaluate him. Expect the team to provide an update on Harper's condition later Thursday or shortly before Friday's series opener in Pittsburgh.

Vogelbach (hamstring) will report to Triple-A Nashville to begin a rehab assignment Friday.

Vogelbach has been on the shelf for just over a month with the strained left hamstring, so the Brewers will likely keep him on the rehab assignment at least through the weekend while he works to get his timing back at the plate following the layoff. Before sustaining the injury, Vogelbach had been serving as Milwaukee's primary starting first baseman against right-handed pitching, but the recent trade acquisitions of Rowdy Tellez and Eduardo Escobar could put his role in flux. Vogelbach and Tellez in particular appear to be redundant as lefty-hitting power bats who can only play first base, so expect one of the two to lose his spot on the active roster once Vogelbach is reinstated. Tellez is the likelier candidate of the two to be sent out, given that he still has a minor-league option remaining.

Dickerson will sit Thursday against the Dodgers, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson will sit against lefty David Price. Thairo Estrada will be the left fielder in his absence.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the plan to play Stanton in the outfield against Miami this weekend is complicated by the recent addition of Joey Gallo, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Stanton was originally expected to return to the field during New York's recent series at Boston, but that never came to fruition. Boone subsequently indicated that the slugger would play the outfield in his return to Miami -- where he began his professional career -- though the manager's comments Thursday make that scenario murky. Boone didn't completely rule out Stanton, Gallo and Aaron Judge forming a towering outfield trio in Miami, however, adding, "Giancarlo is physically prepared and ready for that," per Marly Rivera of ESPN.com.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run Wednesday in the Twins' 17-14 loss to the Tigers.

The home run was Rooker's third in four games and one of seven on the day for Minnesota. With a 1.271 OPS in six starts for Minnesota since his July 23 call-up, Rooker looks secure in an everyday role at either designated hitter or in the corner outfield.

Jimenez (groin) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Royals.

Jimenez was removed from Wednesday's game as a precautionary measure due to right groin tightness. Yoan Moncada will serve as the designated hitter while Leury Garcia starts at third base.

Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer, two walks, and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-7 win over the Rockies.

Ohtani reached base in all but one plate appearance Wednesday, starting with a base knock in the first. He came around to score that inning to give the Angels their first run of the game. The 26-year-old then delivered his league-best 37th home run in the fourth. Ohtani has an extra-base hit in four of his last five games and has seven RBI over that span. He's slashing .280/.367/.591 with 37 homers, 81 RBI, 72 runs scored, 14 steals and 45:119 BB:K over 392 plate appearances.