MLB Player News
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Matt Olson 1B | ATL
Braves' Matt Olson: Ends power drought Sunday
Olson went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run scored in Sunday's 7-1 win over the Marlins.
Olson got Atlanta on the board with a 419-foot blast in the fourth inning, marking his first homer since July 20. In 19 games between long balls, the first baseman hit just .247 with four doubles and five RBI. For the year, he's slashing .262/.363/.451 with 19 home runs, 70 RBI and 66 runs scored across 526 plate appearances.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Huge performance in win
Steer went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 14-8 win over the Pirates.
Steer fell a triple shy of the cycle, delivering a two-run double in the sixth inning and a two-run homer in the eighth. The 27-year-old has been streaky over his past 10 games, going hitless five times but still producing four multi-hit efforts, three home runs, 13 RBI and seven runs scored. For the year, he's slashing .241/.304/.398 with 14 long balls, 54 RBI, 49 runs scored and six steals across 431 plate appearances.
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Freddie Freeman 1B | LAD
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman: Drives in three in loss
Freeman went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and three total RBI in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays.
Freeman hit a go-ahead solo shot in the first inning before forcing in runs with bases-loaded walks in the second and eighth frames. The first baseman has hit safely in 10 of his last 12 games, going 18-for-45 (.400) with four homers and 14 RBI in that span. Overall, he has a .305/.378/.491 slash line with 14 long balls, 66 RBI, 57 runs scored and two stolen bases across 105 games this season. He's continued to provide steady contact despite a 22.6 percent strikeout rate that is his highest since 2016.
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Dominic Smith 1B | SF
Giants' Dominic Smith: Hitting bench in Flores' return
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.
Smith had started at first base or designated hitter in seven of the previous nine games, but he'll see a downturn in playing time with Wilmer Flores (hamstring) making his return to the starting nine Sunday. The Giants are likely to lean on a combination of Rafael Devers and Flores at first base and designated hitter more often than not, though Smith could replace Flores against some right-handed pitchers.
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Troy Johnston 1B | MIA
Marlins' Troy Johnston: On bench against southpaw
Johnston is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.
The 28-year-old rookie was on the bench for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader while Atlanta sent righty Erick Fedde to the hill, and Johnston will remain there with southpaw Joey Wentz on the mound for the series finale. Since getting the call to the big leagues July 29, Johnston has gone just 4-for-21 with no walks and six strikeouts. He's in danger of losing playing time if he's unable to get going at the plate soon.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Logs two hits Saturday
Steer started at first base and went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Pirates.
Steer returned to the lineup after getting a breather Friday. He's struggled at the dish since the All-Star break and entered Saturday batting .145 (9-for-62) over the previous 18 contests. Despite the slump, Steer has managed to provide a few key hits, knocking in 11 runs during that time.
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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Pops homer in win
Busch went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run, a double and a second run scored in Saturday's 9-1 win over the Cardinals.
Busch opened August just 2-for-21 over his first seven games of the month. The first baseman broke out with a long ball in the second inning that stretched the Cubs' lead to 5-0. He's now at a .266/.351/.505 slash line with a career-high 22 homers as well as 64 RBI, 52 runs scored, four stolen bases, 16 doubles and three triples through 110 contests this season.
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Troy Johnston 1B | MIA
Marlins' Troy Johnston: On bench for nightcap
Johnston isn't in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against Atlanta.
Johnston will get a chance to catch his breath after going 1-for-3 with a strikeout during a loss in Game 1. While he rests, Eric Wagaman will get the nod at first base, and Jakob Marsee, Derek Hill and Heriberto Hernandez will work in the outfield.
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Willson Contreras 1B | STL
Cardinals' Willson Contreras: Back in lineup Friday
Contreras (illness) is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
A stomach bug kept Contreras out for Wednesday's series finale against the Dodgers, but it would seem he's already moved past it. While he's just 1-for-11 in his career so far against Friday's starter, Matthew Boyd, Contreras has a .906 OPS against left-handed pitching for the season.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Beginning on bench Friday
Steer is not in the starting lineup against the Pirates on Friday.
Steer has been an everyday presence at first base for Cincinnati, but he'll get a rest Friday while Miguel Andujar starts in his stead. The Reds likely hope the time off will reset Steer's bat, as he's gone just 2-for-21 through six games in August.