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.

Guardians assistant general manager Matt Foreman said that Velazquez hasn't played for Triple-A Columbus since last Sunday due to lingering lower-body soreness, Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

Widely considered the Guardians' top prospect and regarded as one of the top power bats in the minors, Velazquez is being viewed as day-to-day and is expected to make it back into the Columbus lineup before the International League season concludes Sept. 20. The 21-year-old first baseman has hit .298 with 29 home runs across 117 games between Columbus and Double-A Akron this season.

Contreras (hamstring) served as the designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored for Double-A Portland on Friday.

Contreras, who kicked off a rehab assignment Friday, is scheduled to play first base for the Sea Dogs on Saturday. The Red Sox will reassess where he's at following Saturday's game.

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.

Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said Friday that Hoskins (back) has begun a swing progression program, MLB.com reports.

Hoskins still has time to make it back from the injured list before the end of the regular season, though he'll need to take live at-bats in simulated games and/or head out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated. Once he rejoins the Guardians, Hoskins will likely occupy the short side of a platoon at first base with Nathaniel Lowe.

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.

Naylor went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

Naylor has hit .292 (15-for-120) with five steals and six extra-base hits over his last 30 games. The improvement in contact is a positive sign for the first baseman, who has struggled to live up to expectations in his first full year with the Mariners. He's batting .267 with a .682 OPS, 10 home runs, 27 steals, 49 RBI, 55 runs scored and 20 doubles across 138 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.