MLB Player News

Meneses is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Meneses will head to the bench for just the ninth time all season and for the first time since July 28. His day off comes after he went 0-for-11 with four strikeouts over the first three games of the series. Prior to the dry spell at the dish, Meneses had cobbled together a seven-game hitting streak during which he batted .345 with seven RBI and three runs.

Soler (hip) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler will miss his fifth straight game on account of right hip tightness, an injury he first picked up in Tuesday's contest versus the Rays. Since Soler hasn't appeared off the bench in any of the previous four games, the Marlins could backdate a potential stint on the injured list, if one is deemed necessary. Miami may wait and see how Soler is feeling following Monday's off day before making a decision on whether he'll go on the IL prior to Tuesday's series opener with the Dodgers.

Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Morel had served as Chicago's designated hitter for each of the past three games, but he went just 1-for-7 at the dish in those games to bring his slash line to .148/.225/.309 since the beginning of August. With Morel unable to take advantage of his brief return to the everyday lineup, he appears set to move back into a utility role for the final month of the season.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and three RBI in Saturday's 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

Blackmon hit safely in 13 of 14 games after returning from a hand injury, but he'd gone 0-for-6 with two walks over his last two contests. The 37-year-old outfielder was able to make an impact out of the leadoff spot Saturday, and he continues to be one of the Rockies' top hitters. For the season, he's at a .292/.383/.458 slash line with seven home runs, 35 RBI, 47 runs scored and one steal through 73 contests.

Pederson is out of the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

The Padres will send southpaw Blake Snell to the mound to begin the game, meaning the lefty-hitting Pederson will stay put in the dugout. Wade Meckler, Austin Slater and Mitch Haniger will man the Giants' outfield while Pederson sits.

Soler (hip) isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against Washington, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler has now missed four starts due to right hip tightness, and a trip to the injured list could be a possibility if his condition doesn't improve soon. His absence Saturday will move Josh Bell into the DH spot and Luis Arraez to first base while Xavier Edwards starts at second.

Martinez (groin) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday and is expected to return to the major-league Dodgers on Sept. 8 against Washington, MLB.com reports.

Martinez has been on the injured list since Aug. 22 but appears to be making progress toward a return. The veteran slugger is slated to play in a simulated game Saturday ahead of kicking off a rehab stint Sunday. If all goes well, Martinez will return to the big club for the first game of next weekend's three-game set in Washington, and he will likely resume duties as Los Angeles' regular DH.

Martini started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 3-2 win over the Cubs in the second game of Friday's doubleheader. He went 0-for-1 as a pinch hitter in the matinee.

Martini, who had an early impact after the Reds selected his contract in August, has slipped since, going 3-for-16 over the last six games. Jake Fraley's return from the injured list should limit Martini's plate appearances over the final month of the season.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 6-3 win over the Dodgers.

Ozuna ended August with seven homers over his last 10 games, and he kept that prodigious power streak going right into September. Across his last 11 games, he's batting .488 (20-for-41) with 12 extra-base hits. Prior to the surge, Ozuna was batting .249 and slugging .477 -- those marks are now at .272 and .543, respectively. He's up to 32 homers, 76 RBI, 71 runs scored and 20 doubles through 118 contests.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against St. Louis.

McCutchen will get a breather Friday after going just 1-for-20 across his last six games. Endy Rodriguez will fill in as Pittsburgh's designated hitter, allowing Jason Delay to start behind the plate.