MLB Player News

Dodgers center fielder Joc Pederson will start Thursday in Game 5 of the NLDS.

Pederson will take over in center field and hit eighth in the order as the Dodgers look to extend their season against Mets' righty Jacob DeGrom. Andre Either will take over in right field with Enrique Hernandez sliding over to left.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner (knee) is expected to be able to play Thursday in Game 5 of the NLDS, Eric Stephen of SB Nation reports.

The 30-year-old was forced from Tuesday's Game 4 with swelling in his left knee, the same knee that limited him during the final couple weeks of the regular season. However, manager Don Mattingly expects Turner to be able to give it a go against Jacob deGrom with the season on the line.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner left Tuesday's game due to swelling in his knee, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

It was part of a double-switch, with Corey Seager moving to third base and Jimmy Rollins moving to shortstop late in Tuesday's Game 4 victory over the Mets. Turner should be considered day-to-day in advance of Thursday's deciding Game 5.

Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson is not in the lineup for Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Mets on Saturday.

Pederson went hitless Friday, so Don Mattingly decided to change things up in center field and will give Enrique Hernandez the start.

Right fielder Jorge Soler is in the lineup for Game 2 of the Cubs' NLDS matchup with the Cardinals.

Solar did not start Friday's series opener, but he will join the lineup Saturday with the Cubs facing left-hander Jaime Garcia. He will hit second in the Cubs' batting order.

Nationals slugger Bryce Harper (shin) is back in the lineup for the Sunday season finale against the Mets.

Harper had a scare after missing the second leg of the Saturday doubleheader thanks to a hit-by-pitch in Game 1, but he'll tough it out and finish the season in the starting lineup. At stake for the phenom is a chance to hit the 100-RBI mark and lock up the NL batting title, where he's in a virtual tie with Dee Gordon.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner went 2 for 3 with a solo home run in a 2-1 win over San Diego on Saturday.

Turner just continues his breakout season, as this marks his 16th dinger of the year. Since joining the Dodgers last season, Turner has developed into a completely different player, as he has doubled most of his career numbers in that two-year span. It remains to be seen what they'll do with him next year considering all the young depth the Dodgers have, but he's definitely played well enough to earn an everyday role yet again.

Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup due to a rain delay.

The Cardinals opted to remove the majority of their regular starters prior to the start of the game, one that has been delayed for nearly an hour due to rain. Mark Reynolds will get the start at third base instead and hit fourth in the lineup.

Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen went 3 for 5 with his 23rd homer Friday against the Reds.

The dinger was his first since Sept. 10 and the RBI was his first in 12 games. Cutch finished September with an unusual .237/.405/.340 slash line as opponents pitched around the center fielder. It's possible Pittsburgh rests him Sunday if the team clinches home field advantage for the Wild Card on Saturday.

Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes (finger) is in the starting lineup Friday.

Manager Terry Collins gave Cespedes the night off Thursday in order to give his injured finger a bit of rest, however it looks like he will be reinserted into center field for Friday's contest against the Nationals' lefty Gio Gonzalez.