MLB Player News

Winker is not in Saturday's lineup against the Cardinals.

The Reds are starting Phillip Ervin in left field, even against a righty (Miles Mikolas). Winker is hitting .281 with one home run in 32 at-bats this month but has not played since Wednesday.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a run in a win over the Reds on Friday.

Ozuna didn't participate in the Cardinals' four-homer derby, but he opened the scoring with his first-inning two-bagger. The veteran outfielder's three-hit effort was his first in nearly two months and was another step in the right direction following his long absence due to multiple finger fractures. After going just 1-for-12 over the first four games following his return, Ozuna is hitting .333 (9-for-27) with two doubles, two home runs, four RBI, five walks and six runs in the subsequent eight contests.

Alvarez went 2-for-2 with a double and a pair of walks in Friday's 3-2 extra-innings loss to the Athletics.

Alvarez reached in all four of his plate appearances before being replaced by pinch runner Jake Marisnick after doubling in the eighth inning. The rookie designated hitter has posted a .339/.425/.688 line with 17 homers, 52 RBI and 15 doubles in 219 plate appearances this season.

Canha went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 extra-innings win over the Astros.

Canha had missed Thursday's series opener with a hand injury, but it didn't seem to bother him at all Friday, as he opened the scoring with a solo shot off Astros start Justin Verlander in the fifth inning. Canha also played all 13 innings in the contest. For the year, the utility man is hitting .258/.381/.509 with a career-high 18 homers, as well as 36 RBI and 52 runs scored across 275 at-bats.

Belt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 10-9 win over the Diamondbacks.

Belt tied the game at 1-1 with a blast off Mike Leake in the third inning. It was the first long ball since July 30 for the 31-year-old veteran, who has not been seeing the ball well as of late. Overall this season, Belt is batting .229/.345/.387 with 13 homers.

Harper went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and two runs scored Friday night against the Padres.

Harper gave the Phillies some breathing room in the sixth inning with a three-run blast over the wall in left. He's now left the yard in back-to-back contests, as he also cranked a game-winning grand slam in Thursday's series finale against the Cubs. Harper will aim to stay hot heading into the final two contests of the series.

Canha (hand) is starting in center field and batting sixth Friday against the Astros.

Canha was held out of Thursday's matchup after injuring his hand during Wednesday's clash, but he'll be ready to roll for the second game of the series. He's batting .237 with four RBI over his last 10 games.

Reed was outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The White Sox will clear a spot on the 40-man roster by outrighting Reed to Triple-A. A corresponding move has yet to be announced.

Choi is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Tigers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi started the last two contests but will return to the bench with southpaw Daniel Norris on the mound for Detroit. Jesus Aguilar starts at first base and will bat cleanup in his place.

Winker is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Winker typically takes a seat when the Reds face a southpaw, but Friday is the second straight contest in which he's out versus a right-hander (Adam Wainwright). The 25-year-old has a .943 OPS since the All-Star break, so it seems unlikely he's being bumped from the starting role. Phillip Ervin receives another start in left field in Winker's place.