MLB Player News
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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Guardians' Franmil Reyes: Gets breather Saturday
Reyes isn't starting Saturday's game against the Athletics.
Reyes has struggled mightily recently, going 0-for-23 with a walk and 15 strikeouts in his last six games. He'll get a chance to reset while Josh Naylor serves as the designated hitter with Oscar Mercado starting in right field.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Astros' Michael Brantley: Not starting Saturday
Brantley (health and safety protocols) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Brantley was scratched from Friday's lineup against Toronto due to health and safety protocols, and he'll remain out of the starting nine a day later. The 34-year-old is in the clubhouse prior to Saturday's matchup, so it's possible that he'll be available off the bench if needed.
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Zack Collins C | CLE
Blue Jays' Zack Collins: On bench Saturday
Collins isn't starting Saturday against the Astros.
Collins went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts Friday, and he'll be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. George Springer will serve as the designated hitter while Bradley Zimmer starts in center field.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Still not starting
Choi (elbow) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.
Choi continues to deal with a slightly hyperextended left elbow, and he'll be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. He was available off the bench if needed Friday, and it's possible that'll be the case once again Saturday. Although manager Kevin Cash is hopeful Choi won't require a stint on the IL, the team has discussed the possibility, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports. Yandy Diaz will shift to first base while Taylor Walls starts at the hot corner.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Slugs fourth homer
Stanton went 2-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Friday's 12-2 rout of the Royals.
He went back-to-back with Anthony Rizzo in the first inning, giving the Yankees an early 3-0 lead. Stanton is locked in right now, going 7-for-14 over a four-game RBI streak with two of his four homers on the year.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Big day at plate
Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Friday's 11-7 win over Toronto.
Alvarez's impressive day got started with an RBI single and a run scored in the third inning. He then drilled a two-run homer off of Trevor Richards in the sixth before scoring a third run in the eighth. After beginning the year in a 5-for-33 slump, Alvarez is 10-for-23 (.435) with six runs scored over his last six games.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Fills stat sheet Friday
Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a solo home run, two additional runs scored and a stolen base in Friday's 5-1 win over the White Sox.
Ohtani took Lucas Giolito deep in the first inning with a 419-foot solo shot, his fourth homer of the year. He reached on a fielder's choice and scored in the sixth before singling, stealing a base and scoring again in the eighth. The reigning AL MVP is 16-for-56 (.286) with six extra-base hits and three steals over his last 13 games.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Astros' Michael Brantley: Status murky after Friday's scratch
Manager Dusty Baker said after Friday's game that he is unsure if Brantley (health and safety protocols) will be available for Saturday's game against the Blue Jays, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
He was scratched from Friday's lineup, but the Astros have used the "health and safety protocols" as cover for anything from non-COVID illnesses to positive tests this season, so it's possible Brantley could just be day-to-day. Jose Siri entered the lineup in his place.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Astros' Michael Brantley: Scratched due to protocols
Brantley was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays due to health and safety protocols, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Chas McCormick will shift to center field while Jose Siri enters the lineup in center field. It's unclear whether Brantley will be day-to-day as he goes through testing or if he will be placed on the COVID-19 injured list.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Available off bench
Choi (elbow) is feeling better and is available off the bench if needed Friday, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.
Choi is on the bench for the second game in a row while dealing with a slightly hyperextended left elbow, but it looks as though he could be back in action soon. Yandy Diaz will start at first base Friday against the Twins.