MLB Player News

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Atlanta, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will retreat to the bench with left-handed starter Max Fried on the mound Saturday for Atlanta. Heliot Ramos will take over in left field in Pederson's absence, and Wilmer Flores will serve as San Francisco's DH.

Buxton (hamstring) was spotted shagging flyballs in center field Friday in Arlington but he remains without a clear timeline to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "He's still building up and getting where he needs to be for us to take the next step," manager Rocco Baldelli said, when asked about Buxton's status.

Buxton has been on the shelf since Aug. 4 with a right hamstring strain. The Twins still anticipate Buxton making his return from the 10-day injured list at some point in September, but until he reaches the point in his recovery program where he's ready for a rehab assignment, a target date for his activation won't be available. Buxton has served exclusively as a designated hitter this season, but the fact that he was seen in the outfield Friday adds credence to the notion that the Twins are planning on having him make at least a handful of starts in center field once he's activated.

Belt will sit against lefty Logan Allen and the Guardians on Saturday.

Belt has started against just five southpaws all season, so it's no surprise to see him hit the bench here. Bo Bichette will rest his legs as the designated hitter, with Santiago Espinal starting at shortstop.

Vientos (wrist) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Syracuse on Friday, MLB.com reports.

Vientos doubled, drew a walk and scored a pair of runs while playing 10 innings at third base in his first rehab game. He is eligible for activation Saturday and it sounds like his return to the Mets is imminent. Vientos has been out since mid-August with left wrist tendinitis.

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday against Pittsburgh.

Friday marks the fourth time Morel has been held out of the lineup in the Cubs' last five games as he continues to slump at the plate. Jeimer Candelario will serve as Chicago's designated hitter in Morel's absence while Nick Madrigal starts at third base.

Vogelbach isn't in the Mets' lineup Friday against the Angels.

Left-hander Patrick Sandoval will draw the start Friday for the Angels, so the lefty-hitting Vogelbach will retreat to the bench to begin the game. DJ Stewart will take over as the Mets' designated hitter as Jeff McNeil shifts to right field and Danny Mendick mans second base.

Ohtani is started at designated hitter and batting second in Friday's game versus the Mets, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Ohtani was diagnosed with a torn UCL in his right elbow earlier this week, an injury which will keep him from pitching for the rest of the season at minimum. He plans to continue hitting though, at least until a decision is made about possible surgery. Ohtani has clubbed a league-leading 44 home runs this season.

Rooker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a win over the White Sox on Thursday.

Rooker's 418-foot solo shot to center in the sixth inning ignited the Athletics' comeback from a 5-3 deficit. The 28-year-old has been on a power tear of late with three homers in his last four games, and he's now hitting .314 with five extra-base hits and six RBI across his last nine contests overall.

Belt went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's loss to Baltimore.

Belt now has four homers in his last four games. Since the start of August, he's gone 20-for-63 (.317) with seven long balls and a 1.148 OPS. Overall, it's been an impressive bounce-back campaign from the veteran first-baseman in his first year with Toronto. Belt's now slashing .256/.372/.478 with 15 homers, 46 runs scored and 37 RBI across 360 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Arizona.

Encarnacion-Strand slotted in at first base after the Reds placed Joey Votto (shoulder) on the injured list Thursday. The injury clears the way for Encarnacion-Strand to receive a steady dose of plate appearances, but he's struggled to make an impact in the majors so far, slashing .234/.306/.364 in August with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate.