MLB Player News

Choi isn't in the Padres' lineup Saturday against Arizona.

Choi hasn't collected a hit (0-for-12) since July 29, so he'll miss out on a start Saturday. Fernando Tatis will step in as the Padres' DH, allowing Jose Azocar to start in right field and bat eighth.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) isn't in the Reds' lineup Saturday against the Pirates.

Encarnacion-Strand made an early exit from Friday's contest after taking a pitch to the hand and will get an extra day to recover. Henry Ramos will serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter Saturday, and Joey Votto will start at first base.

The Cardinals recalled Baker from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday.

With Dylan Carlson (oblique) headed for the 10-day IL, Baker will come up from the minors to give St. Louis an additional bench bat. The 26-year-old first baseman is 5-for-19 in the majors this season and boasts a .334/.439/.720 slash line through 380 plate appearances in the minors.

Harper (back) is starting as the Phillies' designated hitter Saturday against the Twins.

Harper made an early exit Thursday after experiencing back spasms and was forced to sit out Friday's game as well. He'll be back in action Saturday and look to remain hot with a .316/.357/.605 slash line since the start of August.

Soler isn't in the Marlins' lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during Friday's series opener, Soler will catch a breather Saturday. Josh Bell will instead serve as Miami's designated hitter and Yuli Gurriel will start at first base.

Encarnacion-Strand was removed from Friday's game after being hit by a pitch, but X-rays on his hand came back negative, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand was struck by a Johan Oviedo pitch in the fifth inning, but it seems he's managed to avoid a serious injury. It's possible the Reds will elect to give the rookie a day off Saturday.

Martinez (hamstring) is hoping to be available to play Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Martinez and the Dodgers had been targeting a Saturday return, but the designated hitter instead will go through a pregame workout that day with the hope of playing Sunday. The slugger hasn't been in the lineup since this past Sunday due to a left hamstring injury but is feeling better after receiving an epidural injection earlier this week.

Canha isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Canha is slashing just .176/.243/.235 through 37 plate appearances to begin his tenure with the Brewers, so he'll get a day off Friday to regroup. William Contreras will take over as the designated hitter, allowing Victor Caratini to start behind the dish.

Harper (back) isn't in the Phillies' lineup Friday against Minnesota, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper was removed from Thursday's game against Washington after experiencing back spasms in the fifth inning. The Phillies are unsure what caused Harper's back to start giving him problems, but it's apparently severe enough to cause him to miss a start. Alec Bohm will shift to first base while Harper sits, allowing Edmundo Sosa to fill in at third and bat eighth.

Harper was removed from Thursday's game against the Nationals due to back spasms, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper was hit in the face by a ball that took a strange bounce off first base in the fourth inning, but his removal in the fifth was seemingly unrelated. The Phillies will take a closer look at Harper and should provide more updates in the near future, but for now he should be considered day-to-day.