MLB Player News

Canha went 2-for-3 with a double and a run in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Rockies.

Canha looked to be in danger of falling into a short-side platoon role at the beginning of the month shortly after the Mets acquired Tyler Naquin, but Canha has instead solidified himself as a regular against both right- and left-handed pitching by emerging as one of the team's hottest hitters. After going 4-for-6 with three doubles to begin the weekend series with Colorado, Canha is now slashing .323/.434/.613 with 16 RBI and 13 runs over 23 games in August. He'll start in left field and bat sixth in Sunday's series finale.

Jimenez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game versus Arizona while he continues to deal with right leg soreness, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Jimenez exited Friday's contest with a right leg injury but was back in the lineup for Saturday's game, going 0-for-4 with a strikeout. Though manager Tony La Russa said Jimenez is still working through the injury, his absence for the series finale looks to be mostly a means of giving the slugger two full days to rest, as the White Sox are off Monday. Jimenez is expected to be ready to rejoin the starting nine for Tuesday's series opener with the Royals.

Ford will start at first base and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Ford will pick up his fourth consecutive start after going 2-for-11 with two walks in his first three games with the Angels following his call-up Thursday from Triple-A Salt Lake. With Jared Walsh (thoracic outlet syndrome) done for the season, Ford should serve as the Angels' primary first baseman the rest of the way.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

For the seventh time in nine games, Choi finds himself on the bench. Though the lefty-hitting Choi has sat out against five lefties during that stretch, he'll take a seat against a righty (Nick Pivetta) in the series finale. With Choi supplying a lowly .419 OPS since the All-Star break, it's possible that the Rays will look to move him out of his strong-side platoon role at first base.

Alvarez is dealing with left hand soreness and is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Though it was a right hand injury that resulted in the 25-year-old landing on the injured list ahead of the All-Star break, Alvarez's other hand is now presenting complications. According to McTaggart, manager Dusty Baker expects Alvarez to rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers following Monday's off day, but it's unclear if the All-Star slugger will be able to quickly recapture the form he displayed in the first half. Since the start of August, Alvarez has produced only four extra-base hits and is batting just .234.

Ohtani (11-8) earned the win Saturday, allowing zero runs on two hits and one walk over seven innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out nine.

Ohtani surrendered only one extra-base hit -- a double off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero. The righty has recorded a quality 2.20 ERA over 28.2 innings in five starts during August. The 28-year-old has been slumping with the bat over his last seven games, recording a .150 average and .300 slugging percentage in 20 at-bats.

Stanton will sit Saturday against the Athletics.

Stanton returned from an Achilles injury Thursday and went 1-for-8 with a pair of walks across his first two games back. He won't be asked to start three days in a row right away. Gleyber Torres will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with DJ LeMahieu starting at second base.

Blackmon isn't starting Saturday against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for the second time in the last four games after he went 2-for-8 with three strikeouts over the last two matchups. Randal Grichuk will start in right field and lead off Saturday.

Pederson will be on the bench Saturday against the Twins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's surprising to see Pederson on the bench despite the fact that righty Sonny Gray will be on the mound for Minnesota. All five of Pederson's previous absences against righties this season occurred due to injury, so it's possible he's dealing with at least a minor issue. Luis Gonzalez will get the start in left field.

Vogelbach will be on the bench Saturday against the Rockies.

Vogelbach's off day Friday against righty Chad Kuhl was unusual, though his off day here against lefty Kyle Freeland was to be expected. Darin Ruf will be the designated hitter in his place.