MLB Player News

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over Toronto.

The new father showed some dad power Friday. Rooker plated Minnesota's first run with an RBI double in the second inning, and he added a solo shot for insurance in the sixth. The 26-year-old lifted his season slash line to .210/.295/.420 with eight homers, 15 RBI, 22 runs scored and nine doubles through 176 plate appearances. He should see fairly regular playing time in left field over the last two-plus weeks of the season.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-0 win over Cleveland.

The 31-year-old has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 14-for-41 (.341) in that span. Stanton has three home runs, six RBI and three runs scored during the hot streak. For the season, the slugger is slashing .273/.358/.498 with 29 long balls, 79 RBI, 56 runs scored and 16 doubles across 125 games.

Ohtani threw a successful bullpen session Friday and will start on the mound for the Angels on Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

There was some concern that Ohtani wouldn't pitch again this season after he experienced arm soreness while playing catch Wednesday. However, manager Joe Maddon clarified that Ohtani did not suffer an injury, but instead that he was just dealing with fatigue. That said, his workload may be monitored carefully when he takes the mound Sunday.

Winker exited Friday's game against the Dodgers after being hit by a pitch in the back, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Friday's contest was Winker's first game back since landing on the injured list with a rib injury Aug. 15. It's unclear how serious the new issue may be, but the fact that he has also dealt with back problems at various points in the campaign raises the level of concern.

Beer was placed on the 10-day injured list with a dislocated left shoulder Friday.

Beer left Tuesday's game against the Dodgers with the injury, though reports from Wednesday indicated that he was feeling better. The Diamondbacks evidently weren't satisfied with his progress, so he'll be out for at least another week. Kole Calhoun (hamstring) returned from the injured list to take his place on the roster.

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Friday against Arizona, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll get his first day off since missing the Sept. 5 game against the Padres with a knee injury. Marwin Gonzalez will handle the DH duties and bat sixth Friday.

McCutchen is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

McCutchen started the past three games and will receive a day off after going 2-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs Thursday versus the Cubs. Matt Vierling will take over in left field and bat eighth.

Rooker was activated off the paternity list Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rooker had been out since Monday while spending time with his newborn baby. He started five of the previous seven games prior to his absence, so he should return to a similar role down the stretch. Andrelton Simmons was placed on the restricted list due to immigration issues to clear a spot for Rooker's return.

The Reds activated Winker (ribs) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

An intercostal strain has sidelined the outfielder since mid-August but he's back to help the Reds battle for a wild-card spot. Slashing .307/.395/.560 with 24 home runs and 71 RBI this season, Winker is undoubtedly one of his team's best hitters and figures to occupy the two-spot in Cincinnati's lineup going forward. He fills the roster spot of Tyler Naquin (ribs), who went on the injured list Friday.

McCutchen went 2-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and two RBI on Thursday against the Cubs.

McCutchen entered the game having collected only two hits in his last 17 plate appearances. However, he aided in a 17-run offensive outburst for Philadelphia and logged his first RBI since Sept. 6. For the season, McCutchen is hitting .220/.333/.436 with 24 home runs, 71 runs scored and 72 RBI across 520 plate appearances.