MLB Player News
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Justin Turner DH | CHC
Dodgers' Justin Turner: Keeps rolling with homer
Turner went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBI to help the Dodgers to an 11-1 win over the Padres on Friday.
Turner was right in the middle of the proceedings on a huge day for the Dodgers lineup, doing his part to help the cause with a fourth-inning two-run blast off Clayton Richard for his 10th long ball of the season. The 33-year-old has been red hot lately and he's now hitting an even .300 to go along with a robust .888 OPS over 240 at-bats.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Absent from lineup Friday
Pederson is not in the lineup versus San Diego on Friday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.
Pederson will head to the bench with left-hander Clayton Richard pitching for the Padres. Chris Taylor is set to roam center field and bat fifth in his place.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Giants' Andrew McCutchen: Back in Thursday's lineup
McCutchen will man right field and bat atop the order against the Mets on Thursday, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
McCutchen was held out of the lineup Wednesday amid rumors that he could be on his way out of town after being placed on revocable waivers earlier this week. According to Robert Murray of The Athletic Wisconsin, McCutchen wasn't claimed, which will allow the Giants to engage any of the other 29 clubs in a trade rather than having to negotiate with one team exclusively. The Giants' decision to reinsert McCutchen in the lineup for the series finale suggests a trade probably isn't imminent just yet, but the outfielder could be sent elsewhere within the next few days. Over 123 games this season, the 31-year-old has hit .255/.353/.412 with 14 home runs, 53 RBI and 11 stolen bases.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Three hits in win over Phillies
Harper went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.
The slugger showcased some of his other talents in this one, beating the shift with a bunt in the first inning and then swiping his 11th bag of the season in the fourth. Harper's posted five multi-hit performances in his last seven games, and he's now rung up a spectacular .385/.442/.679 slash line through 20 games in August with five homers, 14 runs, 17 RBI and three steals.
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Matt Carpenter DH | STL
Cardinals' Matt Carpenter: Strikes out four times in win
Carpenter struck out in all four of his at-bats Wednesday in the Cardinals' 3-1 win over the Dodgers.
After going 3-for-5 and connecting on his 34th home run of the season in the series opener, Carpenter received a breather Tuesday. The time off evidently didn't prove helpful, as the four strikeouts were a season high for the infielder. Though Carpenter has been one of the majors' top hitters since mid-May, he's fallen into a bit of a slump in the second half of August. Not including his big performance Monday, Carpenter has recorded only one hit over his most recent seven starts, resulting in a 10-point drop in his batting average over that stretch.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Dodgers' Joc Pederson: Connects for 19th homer
Pederson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's loss to the Cardinals.
Pederson provided the Dodgers' only hit against Jack Flaherty and their lone run on the night with his long ball in the sixth. While Pederson has struggled somewhat since the All-Star break -- he came into Wednesday's game batting .232/.281/.476 since the intermission -- he still has respectable numbers overall and should continue to lead off against right-handed pitching.
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Two hits, steal in win
Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a stolen base, a run scored and a strikeout in Wednesday's win over the Padres.
Blackmon led off the home half of the first with a single before singling again later for a second straight multi-hit day. The stolen base was just the seventh of the year in 11 attempts for the 32-year-old who swiped 43 bags as recently as 2015. Though the speed aspect of his game has diminished, he's the National League leader with 91 runs scored. Blackmon is hitting just .208 over 77 at-bats in August, but he maintains a .276/.343/.474 slash line on the year.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna: Hits DL with shoulder injury
Ozuna was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to right shoulder inflammation prior to Wednesday's game.
Ozuna has been battling shoulder soreness for a majority of this season, though it hasn't impacted him much at the plate lately, as he's hitting .321 with an .862 OPS since the start of the month. He will receive a little time off to recover and will be eligible to return Sept. 1 against the Reds.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Giants' Andrew McCutchen: Out as expected
McCutchen is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mets, Kerry Crowley of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
As expected, McCutchen is situated on the bench Wednesday as the Giants are reportedly working toward trading the outfielder before the Aug. 31 waiver deadline. Gorkys Hernandez is starting in right field in this one, while Alen Hanson and Austin Slater could also benefit from more opportunities if McCutchen is indeed traded.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | ATL
Giants' Andrew McCutchen: Unlikely to play Wednesday
The Giants are likely to withhold McCutchen from the lineup Wednesday against the Mets with San Francisco expected to be working toward trading the outfielder, Robert Murray of The Athletic Wisconsin reports.
McCutchen was placed on revocable waivers earlier in the week, but it remains uncertain if he cleared or if one of the MLB's other 29 teams put in a claim. Either way, it appears the 62-65 Giants, who are rapidly fading from playoff contention, are determined to get something in return for McCutchen prior to the Aug. 31 waiver deadline before he hits free agency over the winter. If the Giants do end up parting ways with McCutchen, it would likely open up more opportunities in the outfield for the likes of Alen Hanson and Austin Slater.