MLB Player News

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With Carlos Santana having been traded to the Brewers on Thursday, Choi has settled in as the Pirates' primary option at first base, starting each of the last three games at the position while going 4-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and an additional run and RBI. Though Connor Joe will get the nod at first base Sunday while southpaw Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Choi should be fairly secure in a strong-side platoon role.

Vientos went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 11-6 loss to the Nationals.

The rookie took Andres Machado deep in the ninth inning for a solo shot after ripping an RBI double in the second. Vientos has started five of the last seven games -- three at DH and two at third base -- and he figures to keep a near-everyday role after Tuesday's trade deadline, especially if the Mets ship out players like Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. Vientos is earning that playing time, hitting .333 (7-for-21) since his most recent promotion with two doubles and a homer, but his 1:7 BB:K over that seven-game stretch suggests his batting average will fade even if his power is legit.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three total runs and four total RBI in Saturday's 11-5 win against the Brewers.

Ozuna racked up 10 total bases in the contest, doubling home a run in the first inning, swatting a solo homer in the fifth and adding a two-run shot in the seventh. The veteran had been in a prolonged slump prior to the series against the Brewers, going 4-for-49 with just one long ball over his previous 14 games. However, he's broken out in the first two contests versus Milwaukee this weekend, going 5-for-8 with three homers, two doubles and five RBI.

Blackmon (hand) participated in batting practice Saturday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports

Blackmon was cleared to resume swinging a bat Sunday and has now begun to ramp up the intensity. Blackmon has been held out since June 11 with a fractured right hand, and he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the Rockies lineup.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Boston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-3 with a solo home run Friday, Pederson will take a seat Saturday against left-hander James Paxton. Michael Conforto will slide into the DH spot while Pederson sits, allowing Austin Slater to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 10-7 win over the Brewers.

The veteran slugger hadn't had a multi-hit performance since July 5, slashing a brutal .082/.132/.143 in the following 14 games with a 3:19 BB:K, but Ozuna appeared to find his stroke again Friday. Atlanta could pick up another bat at the trade deadline to work into the corner outfield/DH mix, but the streaky 32-year-old likely still has some job security after his rampage through May and June. On the season, Ozuna sports a .746 OPS with 19 homers and 44 RBI in 85 contests.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Pederson kept the game close with his eighth-inning blast, but the Giants couldn't find the tying run. The 31-year-old has homered three times and added two doubles over his last seven contests. The power appears to be back for the slugger, who is now at a .245/.371/.466 slash line with 11 homers, 36 RBI, 39 runs scored, eight doubles and two triples through 248 plate appearances. He hit leadoff Friday with LaMonte Wade (back) out, and Pederson could continue to be atop the order versus righties until his injured teammate returns.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday versus the Cardinals.

Morel will get a breather Friday after putting together a five-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-20 with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored. Yan Gomes will take over as Chicago's designated hitter, allowing Miguel Amaya to start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Meneses is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It looks to be a rare day off for Meneses. The Nationals are giving Jeimer Candelario a start in the designated hitter spot and covering third base with Ildemaro Vargas.

Morel went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 10-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Morel gave Chicago a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run double, extending his hit streak to five games. He's gone 14-for-41 (.341) with 10 RBI and an .877 OPS in 12 games since the All-Star break. Overall, Morel is slashing .281/.343/.891 with 16 homers, 48 RBI, 44 runs scored and four steals through 246 plate appearances this season.