MLB Player News

Mercedes will sit Friday against the Mariners.

Mercedes finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row. The first two can be explained by the fact that the White Sox were playing in a National League park, but it's possible his playing time is set to slip even when a designated hitter is available. Mercedes hit .364/.414/.557 through his first 40 games, but the wheels have fallen off since then. In his last 26 contests, he's hitting a miserable .122/.184/.167. Yasmani Grandal will rest his legs as the designated hitter Friday, with Zack Collins starting behind the plate.

Canha was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a left hip strain, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Canha exited Thursday's game against Texas after two plate appearances due to the hip issue. He'll be on the shelf for the at least the next 10 days, though he could be in line for a longer absence, depending on the severity of the issue. Canha has served as the club's primary leadoff hitter this season while spending time at all three outfield positions. Tony Kemp figures to be the top candidate to lead off against right-handers during Canha's absence, with Ramon Laureano and Elvis Andrus possibly seeing starts atop the order against lefties. Seth Brown, Chad Pinder and Skye Bolt could see increased time in the outfield for the time being.

Cabrera (calf) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Astros, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera left Tuesday's game against the Cardinals with tightness in his right calf. After sitting Wednesday and Thursday, the slugger is feeling good enough to serve as the DH for the second game of the four-game set.

Vogelbach's hamstring strain is expected to keep him out for approximately six weeks, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

The Brewers called Vogelbach's injury "significant" after he left Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks, and it's now clear just how significant it is. The given timeline means he won't be back until early August. The Brewers recalled the struggling Keston Hiura to take his place at first base.

Stanton went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Thursday's 8-1 win over Kansas City.

Stanton didn't belt any extra-base hits in the contest, but he did collect an RBI on a single in the eighth inning. The multi-hit game was his 14th this season and third in his past seven games. Over that stretch, Stanton is batting .364 with a homer, four RBI and nine walks.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Game 1 of Friday's doubleheader against the Mets.

The veteran outfielder finds himself on the bench for the second straight game, though he came off the bench and hit a pinch-hit grand slam Wednesday. McCutchen figures to rejoin the lineup in Friday's nightcap.

Buxton will not need surgery to repair his fractured left hand. "He was going to have his images reviewed by Dr. (Chris Camp), and then we can kind of go from there," manager Rocco Baldelli told the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "I don't think he's going to need any procedures to help correct it in any way."

Buxton was hit by a pitch Monday and sustained a broken bone in the fifth metacarpal on his left hand. There's no clear timetable for his return, but he's likely sidelined until August, if not longer.

Alvarez went 2-for-6 with a grand slam, five RBI and another run scored during Thursday's win over the Tigers.

Facing off with Bryan Garcia in the ninth inning, Alvarez delivered his third homer over the last four games, this time a 420-foot grand slam. Meanwhile, Alvarez has tallied 14 hits over his last 11 games, raising his season slash line to .307/.367/.534 with 12 long balls.

The Giants are still waiting for MRI results on Belt's right knee, but there's a "really good chance" that he will be placed on the injured list, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The actual severity of Belt's injury remains unknown and should be clarified when the MRI results return. The team remains optimistic that the injury will be short term, though Belt's right knee was surgically repaired in 2018. He will likely be sidelined until at least early July.

Turner isn't starting Thursday's game against the Cubs, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Turner had recorded hits in each of his last five appearances, and he went 7-for-18 with a double, five RBI, two runs and three walks during that time. Chris Taylor will take over at third base and bat third.