MLB Player News

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

After recently missing two straight games due to lower-back stiffness, Soler returned to the lineup as a designated hitter for the first two games versus Atlanta, going a combined 4-for-9 with a home run, two doubles and three RBI. Garrett Cooper will handle DH duties in Sunday's series finale while Soler receives some extra maintenance for his back.

Manager Derek Shelton said Vogelbach is being held out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals due to a lower-body issue, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Shelton noted that Vogelbach is "banged up a little bit," which explains why he's been excluded from the lineup for all three of the Pirates' games against St. Louis this weekend. Even if fully healthy, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach may have been a candidate to sit against Cardinals southpaw Steven Matz on Sunday anyway, but the 29-year-old at least felt well enough to make a pinch-hitting appearance in Saturday's 5-4 loss. Vogelbach doesn't look to be in any real danger of landing on the injured list.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

With southpaw Steven Matz on the hill for St. Louis, the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will stick on the bench for the third consecutive contest while Yoshi Tsutsugo serves as the Pirates' designated hitter. The Pirates are scheduled to face right-hander Chad Kuhl in Monday's series opener with the Rockies, so expect Vogelbach to check back into the starting nine for that game.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with a home run and a double in a 5-1 victory over Washington on Saturday.

Playing in his second game since returning from the COVID-19 injured list, McCutchen got Milwaukee on the board with a solo home run off Patrick Corbin to lead off the bottom of the first, singled in the sixth and doubled in the eighth. The long ball is the veteran outfielder's third and he's put together a strong May with a .307/.357/.500 slash line through six games after a sluggish April.

Vogelbach will sit for the second straight game Saturday against St. Louis.

It's no big surprise to see Vogelbach on the bench Saturday against lefty Matthew Liberatore. His off day Friday against Adam Wainwright was more surprising, as it marked the first time he'd been out of the lineup against a righty this season. It's unclear if he's dealing with a minor injury or if he's simply not the preferred option at the moment. Whatever the reason, it will be Yoshi Tsutsugo as the designated hitter Saturday, with Michael Chavis starting at Tsutsugo's usual spot at first base.

Belt was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres due to right knee discomfort, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt had his right knee drained Friday, and he'll ultimately be held out of the lineup for a second straight game. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench Saturday, but he should tentatively be considered day-to-day. Wilmer Flores was added to the lineup as the designated hitter.

Harper (elbow) is starting Saturday against the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper received a PRP injection last weekend to address the UCL sprain in his right elbow and was initially expected to be out of the lineup for 1-2 games, but he was ultimately sidelined for five straight matchups. However, he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat third Saturday. Over the six games prior to his absence, the 29-year-old hit .609 with three homers, six doubles, eight runs, eight RBI and three stolen bases.

Canha isn't starting in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Rockies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Canha started in the last three games and went 4-for-12 with a homer, five runs, two RBI, two walks and two strikeouts. Jeff McNeil will shift to left field while Luis Guillorme starts at second base in the matinee.

Morel is starting in center field and batting seventh in Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Morel homered Friday, so the Cubs will reward him with his fourth straight start. The 22-year-old is off to a hot start in his MLB career with two home runs and a 1.371 OPS through 11 at-bats. Those numbers are unsustainable, but fantasy managers may want to give Morel a look in the short term while he's this locked in at the plate.

Ruf went 2-for-3 with two home runs, two walks, three runs and three RBI in an 8-7 loss to San Diego on Friday.

Picking up the start with lefty Sean Manaea on the mound, Ruf was the driving force in San Francisco's lineup with a two-run home run in the third, a solo shot in the fifth and two walks later in the game. After a sluggish April during which the 35-year-old batted .177, Ruf is slashing .378/.508/.644 in 45 May at-bats with three home runs and 12 walks compared to only 10 strikeouts.