MLB Player News

Lindor went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in a 12-2 win against the Yankees on Saturday.

Lindor set the tone quickly, driving Gerrit Cole's third pitch of the game over the right-field wall for a leadoff homer. The veteran shortstop went deep again in the eighth inning, this time with the bases loaded for a grand slam. Lindor has homered six times through his first 10 games in September, batting .255 with 13 RBI and 10 runs over that stretch. The power surge has pushed him up to 20 home runs overall for the ninth straight season -- not including the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

Manager Pat Murphy said that Harrison will be available out of the bullpen during Saturday's game against the Reds, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

Harrison was originally in line to start Saturday's contest, but Murphy said he believes moving the left-hander to the bullpen temporarily will help him get his confidence back after giving up 15 runs (13 earned) in just 7.1 innings over his last two starts. Shane Drohan will move up a spot in the rotation and fill in for Harrison as Milwaukee's starter Saturday.

Cole (8-9) took the loss against the Mets on Saturday, allowing five runs on nine hits and no walks while striking out four batters over 4.1 innings.

For the second straight start, Cole gave up a home run to the first batter he faced -- in this instance, Francisco Lindor. The veteran hurler actually yielded a homer to the first three batters against the Angels in his previous outing, and though that didn't happen this time around, Cole did give up three long balls overall. He's now surrendered seven home runs over his past two starts (both losses), more than he had given up in his previous 11 starts combined. It's not the ideal time for Cole to be struggling, both because the Yankees are trying to catch Tampa Bay in the AL East and because fantasy managers in most head-to-head leagues are in the midst of the playoffs. Cole will look to get back on track in his next appearance, which is lined up to be on the road in Arizona.

Marsh (foot) will start in left field and bat seventh Saturday against Atlanta.

Marsh was absent from the lineup Friday after fouling a pitch off his foot Thursday, but he was able to enter Friday's game off the bench. Now that he's had another day to recover, the 28-year-old will return to the starting nine and aim to turn things around after going just 3-for-20 to begin September.

Thornton (4-5) earned the win over the Yankees on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and one walk while striking out four batters over seven innings.

Thornton was pounded by San Francisco for a career-worst six runs over five frames in his previous start, but the rookie showed poise by rebounding with a strong effort against the Mets' crosstown rivals. The left-hander was efficient in needing just 81 pitches (61 strikes) to complete seven frames Saturday, picking up his seventh quality start in his 13th big-league outing. Thornton has been impressive during his inaugural MLB campaign, posting a 3.44 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:16 K:BB through 73.1 innings.

Hayes will start at third base and bat ninth Saturday against the Brewers.

Hayes was left off the first draft of Saturday's lineup, but he'll step in to cover third base while Juan Brito shifts to second to cover for Matt McLain, who was scratched for unknown reasons. Hayes has posted just a .453 OPS across 220 plate appearances this season and has gone 1-for-9 since returning from the IL on Monday.

McLain was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers for unspecified reasons.

It's unclear why McLain was removed from the starting nine, but the Reds will likely offer an explanation in the near future. In the meantime, Juan Brito will move over to second base while Ke'Bryan Hayes enters the lineup to start at third.

Yastrzemski isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

After going 3-for-3 with a walk during Friday's series opener, Yastrzemski will move to the bench to begin Saturday's contest. Mauricio Dubon will shift to center field as a result, opening up shortstop for Ha-Seong Kim.

If Sheets (foot) is able to return this season, he may be limited to working as a designated hitter and/or pinch hitter, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Sheets landed on the injured list Aug. 30 due to a left foot sprain. As of Sept. 8 he was still in a walking boot, and it's not certain that he'll be ready to rejoin San Diego before the end of the campaign. If Sheets does manage to make it back, he probably wouldn't be put in the field. Luis Campusano and Austin Hays have been getting most of the Padres' starts at DH of late, and Sheets could get occasional starts there while also serving as a bench bat.

Estrada (shoulder) hadn't resumed throwing as of Sept. 8, and he may not be able to return from the injured list before the end of the campaign, MLB.com reports.

Estrada has been on the IL three different times this season, with his latest stint coming as the result of a right shoulder impingement. Though the righty reliever has been rehabbing in Arizona, the fact that he's yet to resume throwing suggests that he's not certain to pitch again this season. Estrada had been a key late-inning asset for the Padres before getting hurt, recording 13 holds and one save while posting a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP over 31 innings spanning 33 appearances.