MLB Player News
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Jake Burger 1B | TEX
Rangers' Jake Burger: Sharing work with Tellez
Burger is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Burger and Rowdy Tellez have now split playing time at first base against right-handed pitching over the past four games, with both players garnering two starts apiece. Though Burger appeared to have settled in as the primary first baseman upon his return from the injured list Sept. 1, he's gone 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts over his last four contests and seems to have lost some job security in the process.
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Eric Wagaman 1B | MIA
Marlins' Eric Wagaman: Taking seat Sunday
Wagaman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.
After seeing his seven-game hitting streak end with an 0-for-3 showing in Saturday's 4-3 win, Wagaman will hit the bench Sunday. The 28-year-old should continue to play regularly against left-handed pitching during the final week of the season, though he may have to settle for a part-time role against right-handed pitching after the Marlins recently welcomed back fellow infielders Connor Norby and Graham Pauley from the 10-day injured list.
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Sal Stewart 1B | CIN
Reds' Sal Stewart: Losing out on playing time
Stewart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.
On the bench for the third game in a row, Stewart appears to have faded into a utility infield role while Spencer Steer has regained control of primary duties at first base. The Reds will still likely find room for Stewart in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but the rookie's opportunities to play against righties could be sporadic over the final week of the regular season.
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Jake Bauers 1B | MIL
Brewers' Jake Bauers: On bench Sunday
Bauers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.
The left-handed-hitting Bauers will take a seat against left-hander Matthew Liberatore, allowing Andrew Vaughn to draw the start at first base. Bauers has taken hold of the strong side of a platoon at first base with Vaughn as the regular season winds down.
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Bryce Eldridge 1B | SF
Giants' Bryce Eldridge: Notches first big-league hit
Eldridge went 1-for-3 with three RBI, a double, a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the Dodgers.
Eldridge hit a three-run double to left field in the first inning before coming around to score, giving the Giants an early 4-0 lead. It was the 20-year-old's first major-league hit after going 0-for-9 in his first three games. Before being called up to the majors, Eldridge slashed .249/.322/.514 with 63 RBI, 31 runs scored, 18 long balls and a stolen base across 286 plate appearances for Triple-A Sacramento.
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Spencer Torkelson 1B | DET
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Blasts off again Saturday
Torkelson went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta.
Torkelson went deep for the second straight day against Atlanta, giving him 31 home runs for the season, which ties his career high from 2023. The slugger has been locked in lately with a 1.110 OPS and three long balls across his last 10 games. Detroit has seven games left in the regular season, giving Torkelson a good shot at setting a new high-water mark in home runs.
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Michael Busch 1B | CHC
Cubs' Michael Busch: Reaches 30-homer plateau
Busch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.
Busch took Cincinnati starter Zack Littell deep in the third inning, giving him 30 homers in a season for the first time in his MLB career. The Chicago first baseman has been on a power surge lately, as he now has four long balls across his last eight games. Busch should remain a key offensive cog for the Cubs as they head into the playoffs, though he figures to remain on the bench when the team faces a lefty starter.
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Sal Stewart 1B | CIN
Reds' Sal Stewart: Fills in at first base Saturday
Stewart entered Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs in the sixth inning to play first base and went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance.
Stewart entered the game when left fielder Austin Hays (back) was removed, and Spencer Steer moved from first base to left field. Stewart had been held out of the starting lineups Friday and Saturday, likely in deference to the hot-hitting Steer and the return of third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, who missed time with a back issue. The Hays injury could lead to opportunities for Stewart at first base, although manager Terry Francona has more options for left field than just Steer. Will Benson and Gavin Lux could also fill in.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Continues to mash
Steer went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Cubs.
Whatever Steer did to overcome the neck spasms that forced him out the starting lineup for three games early this week seems to have worked. He's bashed four home runs over four contests since his return while driving in 10 runs. The Reds have won all four and sit one game out of the final wild-card spot in the NL. Steer is up to 21 home runs and 74 RBI over 139 games.
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Nolan Schanuel 1B | LAA
Angels' Nolan Schanuel: Lifts 11th homer
Schanuel went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Rockies.
This was Schanuel's second game back from a bruised left wrist that landed him on the injured list in late August. He's gone 3-for-9 with two extra-base hits since his return, so it looks like he's fully healthy for the final week of the season. He's produced a .268/.355/.391 slash line with 11 homers, 52 RBI, 63 runs scored and five stolen bases over 127 contests in his second full campaign.