MLB Player News

Blackmon (back) remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon will take a seat for the second straight contest, once again giving way to Raimel Tapia in center field. Consider Blackmon day-to-day heading into a three-game set with the Giants that opens up Monday.

Ruf will start in left field for the third straight game Sunday against the Braves, MLB.com reports.

Finding competent corner outfield play has been an issue all season for the Phillies, and it seems Ruf is the latest player to get an extended look at the position following his Sept. 2 call-up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Ruf has shown power during his time in the minors, but he's struggled to make contact during various stints at the MLB level over the last several years, making him a potential batting average liability for a fantasy team.

Soler (toe) remains out of the lineup Sunday against the Giants.

Soler was scratched Saturday due to an ingrown toenail, an ailment that will limit one of his best tools: his mobility. He'll sit again Sunday, and should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener in Milwaukee.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in a loss to the Brewers on Saturday.

The 29-year-old center fielder has found his stroke. He has a hit in 10 of his last 11 games and he's reached base in 11 straight. McCutchen has been far more patient since his benching the first week of August. Since Aug. 5, he has 18 walks versus 17 strikeouts. He is hitting .253 with 19 homers, 58 RBI, 68 runs and six steals in 491 at-bats this season.

Buxton went 3-for-4 with a home run and two doubles in Saturday's win over the White Sox.

Buxton is 6-for-10 with two home runs in three games since returning from Triple-A. He also doesn't have a strikeout which has been his biggest issue in the majors (35.7 percent strikeout rate). Still, we'll need to see him continue to play well in September to believe he's finally turned the corner in the majors.

Blackmon was a late scratch Saturday due to back tightness, ROOT Sports' Jenny Cavnar reports.

This injury came out of nowhere, and it will allow rookie Raimel Tapia to make his first career start while also leading off against Arizona on Saturday. Blackmon should be considered day-to-day for now, but if he were to miss more time, Tapia would be ready to fill in.

Blackmon has been scratched from Saturday's lineup.

A reason for his removal from the lineup was not immediately provided, but Blackmon was scratched about two hours prior to first pitch, so something may have happened during batting practice. Raimel Tapia is now slated to start in center field and lead off against right-hander Braden Shipley.

Dickerson is out of the lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

The Padres are going with a righty-heavy lineup Saturday against southpaw Rich Hill, meaning Dickerson and fellow corner outfielder Oswaldo Arcia will start the game on the bench. Adam Rosales will get the start in left field and hit seventh.

Choi was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Saturday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Choi had a two-homer game earlier this season (which was almost a three-homer game), but aside from that, he's done little of note at the major league level. The 25-year-old has, however, been far better at Salt Lake (.346/.434/.527) and it's possible the team could give him another look in left field.

McCutchen went 3-for-4 with a double in Friday's 1-0 loss to the Brewers.

The veteran slugger is finally starting to hit his stride at the plate, now having reached safely in 10 straight contests. McCutchen has three multi-hit efforts over that span as well, along with three doubles, a homer and five RBI. Although his current .253 average sits a full 40 points below his career mark in that category, the 30-year-old has a strong chance of hitting the 20-homer mark for the sixth straight campaign with a full month of baseball remaining.