MLB Player News

Soler went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs, an additional run scored and a walk in Friday's 11-3 win over the Dodgers.

Soler took Tony Gonsolin deep on the second pitch of the game and then repeated the feat with a leadoff blast in the third. Through 15 games in August, Soler's racked up seven homers and 11 RBI while primarily hitting out of the leadoff spot versus right-handed pitchers. He's up to a .245/.335/.515 slash line with 32 long balls, 67 RBI, 67 runs scored, 20 doubles and a stolen base through 116 contests. His career high of 48 homers from 2019 is likely out of reach, but he's still had an impressive year in the power department.

Rooker went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Orioles.

Rooker was a bright spot for the Athletics in this contest. He's gone 9-for-27 (.333) with three extra-base hits over his last seven games. The outfielder is up to a .246/.332/.466 slash line with 19 home runs, 15 doubles, 50 RBI, 42 runs scored and two stolen bases through 101 contests in his first full major-league season.

Encarnacion-Strand went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the ninth inning of Friday's 1-0 win over the Blue Jays.

The Reds and Blue Jays were locked in a scoreless tie with one out in the bottom of the ninth when Jordan Hicks hung a slider, and Encarnacion-Strand launched it 411 feet for the game's only run. It was the first walk-off hit in the 23-year-old's career, and Encarnacion-Strand now has four home runs in his first 28 big-league contests.

Ohtani is scheduled to start Wednesday versus the Reds after having his last start skipped due to fatigue, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels elected to be cautious with their two-way superstar this week, but Ohtani is on track to face the Reds on Aug. 23 in what would be his first start in two weeks. Ohtani hasn't allowed an earned run over his last three starts, although one of them was abbreviated due to a hand cramp.

Martinez (groin) will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter Friday against the Marlins, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez was a late scratch from Thursday's game against Milwaukee, but he'll return after just a one-game absence. The 35-year-old has been in a bit of a slump recently, slashing just .214/.353/.357 since the start of August.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup Friday against the Twins.

McCutchen has gone 0-for-12 at the plate across his last four games, so he'll get a break Friday in order to regroup. Bryan Reynolds will take over as Pittsburgh's designated hitter and Ji Hwan Bae will move to the outfield in McCutchen's absence, allowing Liover Peguero to start at second base while batting seventh.

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

After a 1-for-4 effort in Thursday's series opener, Vogelbach will step out of the lineup against left-hander Zack Thompson. Brandon Nimmo will fill in as New York's DH, allowing Tim Locastro to start in left field and bat second.

Meneses went 2-for-5 with two doubles, five RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

Meneses put the Nationals on top 3-1 with a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning and added another two-run double in the sixth to further extend the lead. The first baseman racked up a career-high five RBI on the afternoon and raised his batting average to .283 on the season. Meneses has now recorded multiple hits in two straight games and three of his last four, scoring six runs over that stretch to go along with his five RBI on Thursday.

Martinez (groin) was a late scratch from the lineup Thursday versus the Brewers, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez was originally set to be in the lineup for the series finale, but he will now be on the bench. Martinez has been dealing with a hamstring/groin injury for multiple weeks, and it appears to have flared up again. Will Smith will take over at designated hitter and bat cleanup against Milwaukee.

Canha is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Dodgers.

Canha provided the only run for the Brewers in Wednesday night's 7-1 loss to Los Angeles with a solo homer in the top of the second inning, but William Contreras will fill the DH role Thursday as Victor Caratini steps in behind the plate.