MLB Player News
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Probably won't play this weekend
Turner (abdomen) probably won't play this weekend against Colorado, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Manager Dave Roberts said that Turner is "out of the woods" with regards to his recent abdominal injury but that the team didn't want to "push it". Max Muncy will start at third base and Jake Lamb will start at designated hitter in his stead Friday.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Remains out of lineup
Turner isn't starting Friday's game against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Although Turner returned from a five-game absence Wednesday against the Nationals and went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a walk, he'll retreat to the bench for a second consecutive game Friday. Jake Lamb is serving as the designated hitter.
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Bligh Madris DH | STL
Pirates' Bligh Madris: Scores once in return
Madris went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Thursday against the Phillies.
Madris was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to take the roster spot of Bryan Reynolds (personal) and started in right field while hitting fifth. He doesn't have the same pedigree as other Pirates prospects vying for playing time in the outfield, and Madris has a mediocre .246/.283/.386 slash line across his first 60 plate appearances in the majors. He has multiple paths to playing time though, as he will also get looks at first base, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Giants' Brandon Belt: Takes seat Thursday
Belt isn't starting Thursday's game against the Cubs, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Although Belt has started three games against left-handed pitchers following the All-Star break, he'll get a breather with southpaw Justin Steele on the mound Thursday. Darin Ruf is starting at first base and batting second.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Not starting Thursday
Turner isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rockies.
Turner returned from a five-game absence Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a walk. However, he'll retreat to the bench while Jake Lamb serves as the designated hitter and bats sixth Thursday.
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Not starting Thursday
Blackmon isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.
Blackmon started the first six games after the All-Star break and hit .231 with two homers, a double, five RBI and three runs. C.J. Cron is serving as the designated hitter while Yonathan Daza enters the lineup in center field.
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Bligh Madris DH | STL
Pirates' Bligh Madris: Called up Thursday
Madris was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.
The 26-year-old was sent down in early July but will rejoin the Pirates as outfield depth after Bryan Reynolds (personal) was placed on the paternity list Thursday. Madris has slashed .259/.286/.407 with a homer, six RBI, five runs and two stolen bases over 15 major-league games this year.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Giants' Darin Ruf: Back on bench versus righty
Ruf is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Ruf went 2-for-14 with a home run and three walks while starting in each of the past five games, but he benefited from the Giants opposing four left-handed pitchers during that stretch. Right-hander Zac Gallen is on the bump for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and Ruf now appears likely to settle into a short-side platoon role at either first base, left field or designated hitter moving forward.
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Yermin Mercedes DH | SF
Giants' Yermin Mercedes: Sits against right-hander
Mercedes is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Diamondbacks and right-handed starting pitcher Zac Gallen, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Mercedes will be on the bench for the series finale after he started in four of the Giants' first six games out of the All-Star break while going 3-for-14 with two doubles, two walks and two runs and an RBI. With the lefty-hitting Tommy La Stella (illness) returning from the COVID-19-related injured list Tuesday, the righty-hitting Mercedes may have to settle for a short-side platoon role at designated hitter or in left field moving forward.
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Returns to lineup
Turner (abdomen) is starting Wednesday against the Nationals, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.
Turner missed the last five games due to an abdominal issue, but he'll start at the hot corner and bat fifth during Wednesday's series finale against the Nationals. Over his last seven games, the 37-year-old has hit .375 with two doubles, eight RBI and four runs.