MLB Player News

Soler went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Saturday's 8-5 extra-inning win over the Angels.

Soler has homered in five straight games and has eight long balls over his last 12 contests. In that longer span, he's batting .314 (16-for-51) with 15 RBI. The power surge has pushed him to 17 homers this season, good for second in the majors behind Pete Alonso (20). Soler is slashing .259/.335/.575 with 35 RBI, 31 runs scored and 10 doubles through 51 contests -- numbers that would put him on track for his best season since 2019.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Mariners, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

This looks like a routine breather for McCutchen, who has been getting Saturdays off in recent weeks, presumably as part of the Pirates' maintenance plan for the 36-year-old. McCutchen is in the midst of a resurgent year -- he's up to eight homers after Friday's long ball to go with a .269/.364/.462 line -- and the team wants him available for the long haul. Tucupita Marcano will get a turn in the leadoff spot against right-hander Luis Castillo with McCutchen on the bench.

Carpenter will sit Saturday against the Yankees, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter and Nelson Cruz have been in something close to a strict platoon at designated hitter this season, with Carpenter starting against righties. Right-hander Luis Severino starts for the Yankees on Saturday, but it will be Cruz getting the start nonetheless. Carpenter has looked like he could use a break, as he's gone 0-for-16 with eight strikeouts across his last four games.

Meneses went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two runs scored and three RBI in Friday's 12-10 win over the Royals.

The 31-year-old continues to tear it up in May. Over his last 20 games, Meneses is slashing .361/.398/.482 with 12 runs and 18 RBI, although he has only one homer during that stretch and just two on the season. Given his 81st percentile hard-hit rate and shockingly unlucky 4.4 percent HR/FB rate, it seems only a matter of time before Meneses starts sending more balls flying over the fence.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Phillies.

He got hold of a Matt Strahm fastball in the eighth inning, giving Atlanta its last gasp of offense on the night. Ozuna has gone yard in three straight games and now has nine homers in 19 May contests, slashing .366/.438/.789 over that stretch with 20 RBI -- an incredible turnaround considering his .085/.194/.203 line at the end of April.

Soler went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Angels.

Soler's 16 long balls rank second in the league. The designated hitter/outfielder has already passed his home run total from last season (13) in 22 fewer games played. His power-hitting prowess gives him plenty of value going forward.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Mets.

Blackmon is now on a seven-game hit streak, and also has hits in 14 of his last 15 contests. The longtime Rockie has been scorching hot in the month of May, even without the power-hitting numbers he put up in his prime years.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 11-6 win over the Mariners.

McCutchen has hit safely in nine of his last 12 games, going 17-for-49 (.347) over that span. He led off Friday's contest with a solo shot, his second homer in that 12-game span. The veteran has done well in a near-everyday role with a .269/.364/.462 slash line, eight long balls, 20 RBI, 25 runs scored and five stolen bases through 44 contests. He's started seven straight games as the leadoff hitter.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson told reporters prior to Friday's game against Atlanta that Harper (elbow) is unlikely to play first base until after the All-Star break, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper has increased his throwing distance to 120 feet, but the Phillies remain cautious with the left-handed slugger after his early return from Tommy John surgery. Since coming off the injured list Harper has slashed an impressive .347/.437/.547 with three homers and two stolen bases, but he won't gain new position eligibility until the end of July at the earliest.

Vientos isn't starting Friday against the Rockies.

Vientos has gone 2-for-14 (.143) since his promotion. Daniel Vogelbach will serve as the Mets' designated hitter Friday and bat seventh.