MLB Player News

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.

Olson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Phillies.

Olson opened the scoring with a solo homer off the left-field foul pole in the first inning. It was the 32-year-old's first homer in 10 September contests, and he entered the game just 4-for-32 to open the month. On the year, he's slashing .249/.323/.506 with 38 homers, 82 RBI, 95 runs scored and four steals across 640 plate appearances.

Steer (wrist) was cleared Friday to begin range-of-motion activity, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Steer was examined in Arizona by a specialist, who cleared him to increase activity. "All is going really well," manager Terry Francona said. "He will begin more range of motion [exercises], start to get a bat in his hand." That's good news for Steer, but it doesn't guarantee he'll return before the end of the regular season. "The goal is we want him to have a normal offseason," Francona said. "We might be pushing it if we try to do it by the end of the season." The Reds are considering having Steer play in the Arizona Fall League, which is typically reserved for prospects.

Vargas started at first base and went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Rangers.

Vargas ignited a dormant offense in the fifth inning when the Diamondbacks scored four times. His ground-rule double produced the first of those four runs, and then Arizona went on to score another five times the following inning. It was his fifth consecutive start, four of which came at first base, as he and Tim Tawa share the position. Vargas is 6-for-20 (.300) over his five-start run.

Devers went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk in Friday's 7-5 loss to the Padres.

Devers has racked up seven homers over his last 10 games while batting .351 (13-for-37) in that span. The first baseman ranks eighth in the majors with 36 homers through Friday's action, giving him his highest total since his career-high 38 in 2021. He's batting .258 with an .862 OPS, 96 RBI, 87 runs scored, 36 doubles and one triple over 147 contests.

Freeman (knee) will not be in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Marlins on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Despite the Dodgers having an off-day Thursday, Freeman will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game while working through a right knee injury. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that he expects Freeman to be back in the lineup for Saturday's afternoon matinee. Enrique Hernandez figures to draw the start at first base Friday in Freeman's absence.

The Padres placed France on the paternity leave list Friday.

France will miss up to three contests while he welcomes a new child to the family. San Diego recalled Mason McCoy to fill France's spot on the roster.

Bauers (shins) is back in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

After three straight days out of the lineup, Bauers is back in the starting nine for Friday's series opener against Cincinnati. The 30-year-old will man first base and bat fifth for Milwaukee.

The Pirates activated O'Hearn (quadriceps) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Sidelined since late July with a left quadriceps strain, O'Hearn has been cleared to return after going 1-for-7 with one double and a 1:2 BB:K in two rehab games with Triple-A Indianapolis. The 33-year-old has authored a .270/.334/.454 slash line with 17 home runs over 96 contests this season. Manager Don Kelly said Friday that O'Hearn will likely be limited to first base and designated hitter down the stretch so as not to risk aggravating his quad issue in the outfield, per Aiden Stepansky of MLB.com. O'Hearn is not in the lineup Friday against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga.

Morel went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two additional runs scored during the Mets' 15-14 win over the Marlins on Wednesday.

Morel was brought in for the second inning and filled in at first base after Brett Baty was removed due to left knee pain. Morel answered the call by belting a two-run homer in the third inning to give the Mets an 8-0 lead before driving in another run in the seventh. He's served in a depth role for the Mets since being promoted from the minors in mid-August, but Morel could see a bump in playing time if Baty were to miss time.