MLB Player News

Manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Blackmon (toe contusion) will need "another day or so" before he can run in the outfield, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

He will miss his second game in a row Saturday, and since he still can't run in the outfield, it would not be surprising if he was held out at least through the weekend. Gerardo Parra should continue to start in the outfield in Blackmon's absence, while David Dahl temporarily occupies the leadoff spot.

Buxton is out of the lineup for Triple-A Rochester on Saturday due to flu-like symptoms, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He pinch ran on Friday, but has been out of the lineup since Tuesday due to the illness. There is really not much Buxton can do at Triple-A to change people's opinions of him, as he has always dominated at that level (.986 OPS in 2015, .943 OPS in 2016) but his success has yet to translate to the big leagues. He should join the Twins when rosters expand in September. It is worth remembering that he won't turn 23 until December, which makes him two years younger than the likes of Aaron Judge and Josh Bell, both of whom Buxton already has more big league experience than.

Vargas was officially optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, the Star Tribune's LaVelle Neal reports.

Despite hitting three homers in his last 33 plate appearances, Vargas was hitting just .148 over that span and had been left out of the lineup more often than not. He makes way for pitching prospect Adalberto Mejia, but Vargas could be back with the team when rosters expand in September.

Blackmon (toe contusion) remains out of the lineup Saturday against the Cubs, MLB.com's Thomas Harding reports.

He was a late scratch Friday due to a toe contusion that he presumably suffered during warmups, and it is painful enough that he will remain out for Saturday's game. Once again, David Dahl slides into the leadoff spot with Gerardo Parra taking Blackmon's spot in the outfield.

Dickerson is out of the lineup Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

He is hitting just .241/.281/.379 with one home run in 64 plate appearances this month and may begin to lose out on a bit of playing time down the stretch. The Padres recalled corner outfielder Patrick Kivlehan, who is starting in left field Saturday, and outfield prospects Hunter Renfroe and Manuel Margot could be summoned in September to further complicate matters.

Vargas is expected to be optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

While the team hasn't yet made an official announcement, Vargas' name is not included on Saturday's lineup card and Triple-A left-hander Adalberto Mejia has joined the team in Kansas City. Vargas has appeared in 25 games for the Twins on the season, putting up a .259/.379/.576 slash line across 85 at-bats.

Blackmon has been scratched from Friday's game against the Cubs due to a right big toe contusion.

The Rockies game was delayed Friday and the news about Blackmon being scratched didn't come out until most lineups had locked, so this news won't do daily owners much good. David Dahl moved to center field and the leadoff spot while Ben Paulsen entered the lineup at first base and Gerardo Parra moved over to left field. Blackmon should be considered day-to-day.

Cespedes (quadriceps) was activated from the DL and is starting in left field Friday against San Francisco, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

As expected, Cespedes has been brought off the DL and is back in the cleanup spot in Friday's lineup. He'll join an outfield of Curtis Granderson and Jay Bruce as the Mets take on Johnny Cueto and the Giants.

Goins was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Blue Jays broadcaster Mike Wilner reports.

Goins has struggled to the tune of a .172/.211/.301 line with the big club this year but can play virtually any position on the diamond, and that versatility will help with Josh Donaldson banged up and Jose Bautista and Kevin Pillar on the DL. The 28-year-old Goins replaces Darrell Ceciliani on the active roster.

Turner went 2-for-3 with a walk and a three-run homer in Thursday's loss in Philadelphia.

Turner's first-inning blast was his second in as many nights, fifth in 12 games and his 23rd of the season. The 31-year-old third baseman has been locked in since the All-Star break. Through 112 second-half at-bats, Turner is hitting .339 /.383/.705 with 11 doubles, 10 homers, 28 RBI and 22 runs scored.