MLB Player News

Turner (heel) is back in the lineup Saturday against the Tigers, batting third and serving as the designated hitter.

Turner has been dealing with a bone bruise in his left heel throughout August, appearing in just three games and none since Monday. The injury typically requires an absence of at least a month, but the veteran has elected to play through the problem down the stretch. Whether or not the issue leads to increased absences and decreased performance remains to be seen.

Belt will sit Saturday against the Cubs.

The Cubs are sending out lefty Justin Steele, so it's no surprise to see Belt hit the bench. He's started just five times against a southpaw all season. George Springer will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with Cavan Biggio stepping into Springer's usual spot in right field.

Belt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-2 loss to the Cubs.

His eighth-inning shot off Michael Fulmer was too little, too late for Toronto. Belt has hit safely in six straight games and eight of nine to begin August, batting .353 (12-for-34) on the month with three of his 11 homers on the season along with four doubles, five RBI and nine runs.

Jimenez went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 7-6 loss to the Brewers.

Jimenez' third-inning blast off Corbin Burnes was his 13th of the season and first since July 23. His two RBI represent twice as many as he had accumulated to that point in August. Jimenez has played in 81 of the White Sox' 123 games and is on pace to play over 100 games for just the second time in his career. He currently has a .283 batting average with 50 RBI and 34 runs scored to go along with his 13 home runs.

Encarnacion-Strand was removed from Friday's game after being hit by a pitch, but X-rays on his hand came back negative, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand was struck by a Johan Oviedo pitch in the fifth inning, but it seems he's managed to avoid a serious injury. It's possible the Reds will elect to give the rookie a day off Saturday.

Martinez (hamstring) is hoping to be available to play Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Martinez and the Dodgers had been targeting a Saturday return, but the designated hitter instead will go through a pregame workout that day with the hope of playing Sunday. The slugger hasn't been in the lineup since this past Sunday due to a left hamstring injury but is feeling better after receiving an epidural injection earlier this week.

Canha isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the White Sox.

Canha is slashing just .176/.243/.235 through 37 plate appearances to begin his tenure with the Brewers, so he'll get a day off Friday to regroup. William Contreras will take over as the designated hitter, allowing Victor Caratini to start behind the dish.

The Nationals reinstated Reyes (undisclosed) from the injured list Friday and released him, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Reyes hadn't played in a game with Triple-A Rochester since early July, and he'll now attempt to latch on with his third organization of the season. The 28-year-old is slashing just .217/.317/.392 across 167 plate appearances in Triple-A this season, but there's a decent chance he gets a minor-league contract from another team.

Rooker is not in the lineup Friday against the Nationals.

Lawrence Butler will patrol right field and bat eighth in his MLB debut, while Esteury Ruiz is in center and hitting leadoff. Rooker has enjoyed a solid overall season with Oakland, but he stands 3-for-23 (.130) with no walks and nine strikeouts through eight games in August.

Harper (back) isn't in the Phillies' lineup Friday against Minnesota, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper was removed from Thursday's game against Washington after experiencing back spasms in the fifth inning. The Phillies are unsure what caused Harper's back to start giving him problems, but it's apparently severe enough to cause him to miss a start. Alec Bohm will shift to first base while Harper sits, allowing Edmundo Sosa to fill in at third and bat eighth.