MLB Player News

Brantley went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and another run scored in Thursday's 7-6 loss to the A's.

Brantley kept the Astros in the game with two pivotal game-tying home runs. He hit his first long ball in the sixth inning off Mike Fiers, followed by a solo shot off Blake Treinen in the eighth. Despite Brantley's valiant effort, the Astros came up short in what turned into a home run shootout for both sides. The long balls were Brantley's first of the month and 18th of the year as the veteran outfielder remains on pace to surpass his career-best 20-homer campaign in 2014 with Cleveland. Overall this season, Brantley leads Houston in both batting average (.332) and hits (148).

Cabrera went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Mariners.

Cabrera hit his ninth home run of the season in the fourth inning against Seattle lefty Tommy Milone. The 36-year-old only has 12 total home runs the last two seasons as he's battled a variety of injuries. Before 2018, he never finished a season with fewer than 16 long balls.

Harper went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a stolen base Thursday against the Cubs.

Harper provided a walkoff grand slam, taking Derek Holland deep for his 25th homer of the season. Harper has delivered six homers in his past eight games, also recording three multi-hit games in that span. He ended Thursday's contest with 87 RBI, putting him well on pace to surpass his previous career-best mark of 100 RBI. He's also hitting .253/.374/.490 across 532 plate appearances for the season.

Canha won't play Thursday against the Astros due to left hand soreness, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Canha reportedly suffered the injury Wednesday while making a catch at the wall, so he'll be held out Thursday as a precaution. Skipper Bob Melvin is optimistic that Canha will be ready to roll Friday, however.

Dickerson is not in the lineup Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson was reinstated from the injured list Wednesday, but he'll have to wait another day to make his return to the starting lineup as the Giants are stacking righties against southpaw Alex Young on Thursday. Austin Slater is starting in right field in this one.

Belt is starting at first base and hitting eighth Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt will drop to eighth in the order as the Diamondbacks stack right-handed bats at the top of their order against left-hander Alex Young. The first baseman is hitting just .194 against lefties this season, compared to .238 against right-handers.

Canha is not starting Thursday against the Astros.

Canha will head to the bench for what appears to be a routine day off as Chad Pinder picks up a start in center field in his stead. Through 11 games this month, Canha is slashing .293/.408/.366 with two stolen bases and a 34.7 percent strikeout rate.

General manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that he expects Stanton (knee) to be able to return in September, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The 29-year-old is eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Aug. 25, but Cashman's update signals that Stanton will likely miss some extra time before returning to the major-league roster. He has resumed light baseball activities and is running up to 75-to-85 percent on the anti-gravity treadmill, but he could require a rehab assignment prior to his return. The Yankees have a firm grasp on the lead in the American League East, so the team likely will ensure his long-term health before rushing him back to the majors.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Tigers on Wednesday.

Vogelbach squared up for his 27th round tripper of the season in the fifth inning off Edwin Jackson, only his seventh time leaving the yard since June 30. The slugger boasts career highs in both homers and RBI (68), but a prolonged slump (.183 average over the last 31 games) has sunk his average 17 points to .227 over that span. Nevertheless, Vogelbach's 4.5 pitches per plate appearance this season have helped lead to 69 walks and a corresponding .352 on-base percentage, helping tide his fantasy managers over to an extent during his struggles.

Pederson is out of the lineup Thursday against the Marlins, Alanna Rizzo of Spectrum SportsNet LA reports.

Pederson will unsurprisingly take a seat with the Marlins bringing lefty Caleb Smith to the bump for the series finale. Kris Negron will take over Pederson's usual spot in right field and bat sixth.