MLB Player News

Alvarez (hand), who is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers, said he "100 percent" expects to return to the starting nine Friday versus the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Though his sore left hand will keep him on the bench for a third straight game, Alvarez doesn't believe his injury is as significant as his bout with right hand inflammation back in July, which forced him to the 10-day injured list shortly before the All-Star break. It's unclear if he'll be available Wednesday in a pinch-hitting capacity, but the extra day off to go along with Thursday's team off day looks like it might provide sufficient time for Alvarez to recover from the injury.

Jimenez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI and run scored in a 9-7 loss to the Royals on Tuesday.

Jimenez, returning from a brief absence due to leg soreness, came up with a timely two-RBI single in the fifth and later added to his RBI total with a solo shot in the seventh to help keep his team in the game. It was his eighth home run of the campaign. Jimenez has had an excellent time at the plate in August, slashing .376/.468/.516. The 25-year-old outfielder has missed significant time this season sue to a hamstring injury but has an excellent .500 SLG over 1079 career at-bats.

Alvarez (hand) isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers.

Alvarez is excluded from the starting nine for a third consecutive game due to left hand soreness. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Trey Mancini will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Meneses went 3-for-5 with three doubles, a run scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the A's.

All three two-baggers came off Oakland starter Cole Irvin, extending Meneses' hitting streak to nine games. The 30-year-old rookie has been a bright spot for the Nationals in an otherwise dreary season, and he's slashing .348/.383/.618 through his first 94 plate appearances in the majors with six doubles, six homers, 11 RBI and 16 runs.

Pederson went 2-for-2 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Padres.

Pederson didn't start Tuesday, but he was one of two Giants to record multiple hits anyway. His second hit was a two-run blast in the ninth inning that got the Giants within a run, though the comeback push fell short. That homer was his 20th of the year, putting the outfielder at that milestone for the first time since he slugged 36 homers in 2019. For the season, he's slashing .262/.337/.515 with 52 RBI, 44 runs scored, three stolen bases and 17 doubles through 106 contests.

Ford went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 7-4 loss to the Yankees.

For the second time in as many games, Ford hit a homer against his former team. The first baseman also has four multi-hit efforts in his last six games, with two homers in that span. For the season, he's slashed .226/.351/.339 with two long balls, seven RBI, four runs scored and a double through 72 plate appearances across stints with four different teams. He's settled in as the Angels' primary first baseman, a role he could hold for the remainder of the 2022 season.

Canha went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Dodgers.

Canha continues to rake, as he slugged his 11th long ball of the season, a solo shot off Andrew Heaney in the fourth inning. The veteran outfielder has been on a tear recently, slashing .360/.448/.760 since Aug. 20 entering Tuesday. He now owns a 135 wRC+ this season, which would be the second highest mark of his career.

Morel went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Morel continues to have a solid rookie season, as he connected for his 13th home run of the season in the sixth inning. He's at nine stolen bases as well, and double figures in both categories would be impressive, especially considering he's only played in 86 games. Morel has seemingly played his way onto the 2023 Opening Day roster for the Cubs, and the 23-year-old could be primed for a breakout campaign if he keeps contributing power and speed.

Cabrera went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Mariners.

Cabrera was playing in his first game since last Friday and just his fourth in the last two weeks. The veteran has dealt with some lingering knee pain, and the 50-79 Tigers have been inclined to roll with younger players. Cabrera is batting a respectable .261, but a lack of power and now a dip in playing time limits his fantasy appeal.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer Monday after missing the previous two games with a groin injury, and he'll take a seat Tuesday with lefty Blake Snell on the mound for the Friars. Thairo Estrada will move out to left field with Wilmer Flores covering the keystone.