MLB Player News

Alvarez isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez will sit out a second consecutive game as he continues to recover from a right ankle injury. Yainer Diaz will serve as Houston's designated hitter while Alvarez sits Saturday, giving Christian Vazquez a start at catcher.

Eldridge went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a double in Friday's 7-5 loss to San Diego.

Eldridge hit an RBI single in the first inning and added a leadoff double in the eighth. The 21-year-old has reached base safely in 19 straight games, batting .366 with 20 RBI, seven runs scored and two home runs in 86 plate appearances during that span. On the year, he's slashing .270/.362/.460 with 53 RBI, 48 runs scored, 16 long balls and a stolen base across 425 plate appearances.

Knizner went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Knizner lined a double to left field in the fifth inning before coming around to score. The 31-year-old catcher recorded his first hit of the month Friday and is batting just .059 with a run scored across 18 plate appearances in September. Overall, he's slashing .159/.229/.295 with four runs scored and a home run in 48 plate appearances this season.

The Rays designated Grove for assignment Saturday.

Grove was sent down to Triple-A on Aug. 13, and he has since surrendered just two earned runs while posting an 11:5 K:BB over 11.1 innings. Despite his recent performance, the Rays will strip him of his 40-man roster spot and award it to Brody Hopkins, who was selected to the major-league roster Saturday.

The Rays optioned Cook to Triple-A Durham on Saturday.

Cook never made an appearance for the Rays after being recalled from Durham on Sept. 4, and he'll now end up as the roster casualty necessary to make room for Brody Hopkins, who was selected to the active roster Saturday.

Jenkins isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

The Guardians are expected to use Joey Cantillo in bulk relief Saturday, so the lefty-hitting Jenkins will begin the game on the bench while Austin Martin, Emmanuel Rodriguez and Luke Keaschall start across the outfield.

Larnach isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

Larnach will move to the bench Saturday with left-hander Joey Cantillo expected to pitch in bulk relief once opener Daniel Espino exits the game. Austin Martin will start in left field and bat eighth.

Jeffers isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Jeffers will get a break Saturday after slashing .270/.357/.730 with four homers, 12 RBI and seven runs scored across his last 10 games. Victor Caratini will pick up a start behind the plate and bat seventh.

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Miami.

Smith has tallied a base hit in each of his last four starts, but the Dodgers will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's contest and instead start Hunter Feduccia at catcher.

Freeman (knee) will start at first base and bat second Saturday against the Marlins.

Freeman sat out the Dodgers' last two games while battling a knee injury, but he seems to be feeling well enough to play after a couple days of rest. The veteran first baseman has struggled at the plate since the beginning of September, going just 3-for-22 with nine strikeouts in seven games this month.