MLB Player News
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Jorge Polanco 2B | NYM
Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Absent from lineup
Polanco is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Minnesota.
Polanco made just one start during the Mariners' three-game set against the Twins. The 31-year-old has posted a .494 OPS since the beginning of May and could be at risk of losing out on a regular spot in the lineup. Cal Raleigh will get a start at designated hitter Thursday, while Mitch Garver handles catching duties.
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Jared Young 1B | NYM
Mets' Jared Young: On bench against righty again
Young is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
After making three consecutive starts against right-handed pitching, the left-handed-hitting Young will now take a seat versus a righty (Didier Fuentes) for the second day in a row. With a .642 OPS and 78 wRC+ in 44 plate appearances with the Mets, Young has been a below-league-average hitter since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse on May 24. Given his weak production at the plate and lack of defensive flexibility, Young could be a prime candidate to get demoted to Triple-A when the Mets need to open up a roster spot for Mark Vientos (hamstring), who could be activated from the injured list as soon as Thursday.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Nationals' Josh Bell: Idle for series finale
Bell is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
The switch-hitting Bell has received most of his days off against left-handed pitching of late, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday against a right-hander (Nick Pivetta) as the Nationals open up a spot on the lineup for Alex Call. Bell had started in each of the Nationals' last four games, going 5-for-16 with a home run to bring his OPS up to .624 for the season.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Day off Wednesday
McCutchen is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Milwaukee.
McCutchen had started each of the previous eight contests but will get a breather in Wednesday's series finale. Bryan Reynolds will receive a day off from playing the outfield and will replace McCutchen at designated hitter.
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Randal Grichuk RF | KC
Diamondbacks' Randal Grichuk: Stepping out of lineup
Grichuk is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.
Grichuk will get a breather for the day game after he had started in each of the last seven games -- five in right field, two at designated hitter -- while going 6-for-25 with two extra-base knocks, one walk, four RBI and five runs. With Corbin Carroll (wrist) on the injured list, Grichuk and the left-handed-hitting Jake McCarthy could end up settling into a platoon in right field, though McCarthy (.246 OPS in 51 plate appearances in the majors this season) may need to raise his performance before he emerges as the preferred option against right-handed pitching.
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Eloy Jimenez DH | TB
Rays' Eloy Jimenez: Returns from IL
Triple-A Durham reinstated Jimenez (Achilles) from its 7-day injured list Tuesday.
Jimenez didn't play Tuesday in Durham's 15-6 win over Memphis, but he's healthy again after missing the past five weeks with right Achilles tendinitis. Prior to being activated, Jimenez played in eight rehab games in the rookie-level Florida Complex League and went 2-for-21 with six walks.
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Brent Rooker DH | ATH
Athletics' Brent Rooker: Clubs 16th homer
Rooker went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the Tigers.
The 30-year-old slugger jumped on the first pitch he saw from Tarik Skubal, turning on a 96-mph fastball and ripping it deep down the left-field line to get the A's on the board. Rooker has been locked in for most of June, slashing .317/.417/.512 over 22 games with three of his 16 homers and 12 of his 43 RBI on the season.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Belts 27th homer
Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run during Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Rockies.
Ohtani delivered a two-run home run off Ryan Rolison in the sixth inning to give the Dodgers an 8-3 lead. Since the start of June, Ohtani is 23-for-86 (.267) with five homers, three doubles and two triples over 22 games. He's one of three players in baseball with an OPS above 1.000.
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Kyle Manzardo 1B | CLE
Guardians' Kyle Manzardo: Pokes homer in win
Manzardo went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 10-6 loss to Toronto.
Manzardo entered as a pinch hitter for David Fry in the seventh and finished the game at designated hitter. He eventually launched his 12th home run of the season -- and first in 13 games -- in the ninth inning. Manzardo had a nice start to the season as the team's primary DH -- he homered eight times and had a .557 slugging percentage through the first 26 contests -- but he has since lost playing time to Fry as his power stroke has waned. Since April 30, Manzardo has just four home runs and is slugging .378 over 41 games.
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Starts at first base
Smith started at first base and went 1-for-4 in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the White Sox.
Smith got the nod at first when Josh Naylor (shoulder) was scratched. The latter suffered a shoulder injury on an aggressive swing during Monday's game and was eventually removed from that contest. The fact he was nearly ready to play Tuesday suggests Naylor could start Wednesday. In that event, Smith would likely move back to designated hitter with Arizona set to face Chicago right-hander Sean Burke.