MLB Player News

Candelario went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Brewers.

Candelario was reinstated from the injured list Wednesday after missing a few weeks with a back strain, and Friday's home run was his first hit since returning. He's been solid this year with an .807 OPS, 22 home runs and 38 doubles, and the Cubs will need the infielder to produce over their final two games if they want to sneak into the playoff field.

Steer went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run in Friday's 19-2 win over St. Louis.

Steer launched a solo home run in the second inning -- he was one of six members of the starting lineup to go deep in a win that kept the Reds' playoff hopes alive. He's hit safely in 12 of the last 13 games, going 16-for-49 (.327) with nine extra-base hits, eight RBI and seven runs scored. The home run was Steer's 23rd over 155 games.

Flores went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a walk in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Dodgers.

Flores was the only Giant to get a hit in the game, knocking an RBI single in the first inning and a solo home run in the third, both off Lance Lynn. Prior to Friday, Flores had gone just 2-for-18 over his last six games. The infielder has been one of the Giants' few steady hitters with a .284/.355/.510 slash line, 23 homers, 59 RBI, 51 runs scored and 22 doubles over 125 games this season.

Freeman went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and three total runs scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Giants.

Freeman has powered up late in the season with three homers over his last four games. He's hitting .310 in September with four homers and eight doubles across 26 games, giving him 29 long balls and 59 two-baggers for the season. The first baseman has added an impressive .334/.412/.572 slash line with 102 RBI, 131 runs scored, 23 stolen bases and two triples through 159 contests overall.

Encarnacion-Strand went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and a second run scored in Friday's 19-2 win over the Cardinals.

Encarnacion-Strand launched his homer as part of the Reds' seven-run fourth inning. It was one of the team's six home runs in the contest. The rookie slugger has gone deep 13 times, including seven times over his last 10 games. Encarnacion-Strand is now slashing .274/.328/.488 with 37 RBI and 20 extra-base hits through 232 plate appearances.

Choi isn't in the Padres' lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Choi still has yet to record a hit through 14 games with the Padres, and his offensive struggles will keep him out of the lineup Friday. Garrett Cooper will start at first base and bat sixth.

Votto isn't in the Reds' lineup Friday against the Cardinals.

Votto will be on the bench for the second straight game after collecting hits in two of his last three contests. Christian Encarnacion-Strand will get the nod at first base instead and bat fourth.

Goldschmidt (back) is starting at first base and batting second Friday against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Goldschmidt has sat out the Cardinals' last two games while dealing with back tightness, but the issue seems to have subsided ahead of Friday's contest. The 36-year-old first baseman has been held hitless (0-for-8) over his last three games.

Montero went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double, a walk and four total runs scored in Thursday's 14-5 win over the Dodgers.

This was arguably Montero's base game of the year from a fantasy perspective. He's logged six three-hit efforts, four of which have come since Aug. 15. The infielder is at a .247/.294/.417 slash line with nine homers, 37 RBI, 37 runs scored, 15 doubles and no stolen bases through 82 contests overall.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 5-3 win over the Cubs.

Olson put Atlanta ahead in the first inning with his blast. He's up to 54 homers this year, 11 of which have come in September, a month in which he's batting .343 with 24 RBI over 26 games. For the year, the first baseman has a .281/.387/.605 slash line with 136 RBI, 126 runs scored and one stolen base through 159 contests. If he remains in the lineup each day for the three-game series versus the Nationals, he'll achieve his fourth campaign of playing in every contest.