MLB Player News

Morel isn't starting Saturday against the Cardinals.

Morel started the last four games and went 2-for-13 with a home run, a double, two RBI, a walk and five strikeouts. Zach McKinstry is taking over at the hot corner and batting ninth.

Vogelbach isn't starting Saturday's game against the Nationals.

Vogelbach is on the bench for the fourth time in the last five games since left-hander Patrick Corbin is on the mound for Washington. Pete Alonso will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup.

Belt's knee surgery went as planned Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has dealt with chronic knee issues throughout the year and eventually elected to undergo season-ending surgery. The procedure went well, and he's expected to rehab for approximately two months, giving him time to be ready for next season. He'll be a free agent this winter, and the market for a 34-year-old coming off a down season and a significant surgery may not be robust. He's now missed at least 50 games in four of the last five full seasons, so any team taking a chance on him can't count on having him available all year.

Blackmon isn't starting Saturday against the Reds.

Blackmon started the last three games but went just 1-for-11 with a double, a walk and three strikeouts. C.J. Cron will serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup.

Choi isn't starting Saturday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Although right-hander Clarke Schmidt is starting for the Yankees on Saturday, Choi will be on the bench for the fifth time in the last six games. Harold Ramirez is taking over at first base and batting cleanup.

Cabrera (biceps) isn't in the lineup Saturday against Kansas City.

Cabrera will be out of the lineup a day after he departed Friday's matchup due to discomfort in his biceps. Whether he's available off the bench remains to be seen, but Jeimer Candelario will serve as the designated hitter and bat sixth.

Pederson went 2-for-2 with a home run, a walk, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 13-1 win over the Phillies.

Pederson hit an RBI single in the first inning, a three-run homer in the second and walked in a run in the third. With the Giants way ahead, he was replaced by pinch hitter Lewis Brinson in the fifth inning. Pederson is on a roll lately -- across his last 10 games, he's gone 13-for-30 with four homers, 12 RBI and nine runs scored. The outfielder is slashing .268/.345/.526 with 21 long balls, 58 RBI, 47 runs and three steals through 108 contests this year as a strong-side platoon option in left field.

Cabrera was removed from Friday's game against the Royals due to discomfort in his biceps, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Cabrera went 0-for-3 with a strikeout to begin Friday's matchup but was replaced by a pinch hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning. The 39-year-old is considered day-to-day.

Alvarez was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Angels due to hand discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez was initially slated to serve as the designated hitter for Friday's matchup, but he's still dealing with his hand injury and will be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. Yainer Diaz will instead make his major-league debut as the designated hitter Friday.

Alvarez (hand) is in the Astros' lineup Friday and will serve as the designated hitter, batting third against the Angels.

Alvarez missed three consecutive games while battling left-hand soreness, but he will make his return in Friday's series opener in Los Angeles. The Astros' young star has been stuck in a cold spell lately with a .638 OPS since Aug. 1.