MLB Player News

Pederson went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 9-5 loss to Milwaukee.

The outfielder has hit safely in his last seven games, going 12-for-29 (.414) in that span. Pederson has a .245/.307/.427 slash line with 13 home runs, 49 RBI, 41 runs scored and two stolen bases across 348 plate appearances between Chicago and Atlanta this year. Despite Atlanta's additions of Eddie Rosario (abdomen), Jorge Soler and Adam Duvall, Pederson figures to get a decent share of playing time in right field or center field over the last two months of the season.

Ohtani won't start Sunday's game against Oakland due to a sore thumb, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani should still be available as the designated hitter in the Angels' weekend series against Oakland, but his next start as a pitcher will be pushed back after a ball hit the thumb on his throwing hand in the dugout recently. Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the severity of the issue and said the right-hander could still start Monday's game. Jaime Barria will start Saturday's contest, while Reid Detmers will make his major-league debut Sunday.

Dickerson isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Dickerson will be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games with another southpaw (Framber Valdez) on the mound for the opposition Friday. Thairo Estrada will start in left field and bat eighth.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs in a win over the Yankees on Thursday.

Choi helped pile on the runs late, slugging his seventh homer of the season with Brandon Lowe aboard in the sixth to extend the Rays' lead to 12-0 at the time. The veteran is closing out July on a heater, as he's now posted a .321/.406/.714 slash line with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI over his last eight games.

Harper (back) is starting Friday's game against the Pirates.

Harper exited Thursday's nightcap against the Nationals due to back spasms, but he won't miss any additional time. He's gone 6-for-11 with a home run, two doubles, three runs, two RBI and six walks across his last five games.

Soler was traded from Kansas City to Atlanta on Friday in exchange for Kasey Kalich, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

The veteran slugger has an underwhelming .192/.288/.370 slash line through 94 games this year, but he's picked things up in 12 contests since the All-Star break with a 1.066 OPS, six home runs and 7:9 BB:K. Atlanta has completely remade its outfield ahead of the trade deadline, with Soler, Eddie Rosario (abdomen) and Adam Duvall all being acquired Friday following the addition of Joc Pederson two weeks ago.

Jimenez (groin) isn't starting Friday's game against Cleveland.

Jimenez will be out of the lineup for a second straight contest as he continues to manage right groin tightness. Gavin Sheets will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts in left field. Jimenez won't be available off the bench Friday, but manager Tony La Russa said the 24-year-old is doing better and receiving treatment, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani went 0-for-1 with three walks and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to Oakland.

The Angels managed only three hits in the contest, so Ohtani's ability to draw free passes in the contest went for naught. Still, the two-way star managed to contribute to fantasy squads by swiping his 15th base of the season. Over his past five games, Ohtani has drawn seven walks and stolen three bases in addition to slamming three home runs.

Miller went 2-for-4 with a grand slam and an additional run scored in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Nationals.

Miller went 0-for-2 in the first game, but he made his presence felt in the eighth inning of the nightcap in a big way. His extra-inning grand slam off reliever Sam Clay lifted the Phillies to a huge win. and it also allowed Miller to reach double-digit homers for the second time in the last three seasons and for the fifth time in his career. The infielder is hitting .235 with a .764 OPS on the year.

Vientos went 2-for-5 with two solo home runs for Double-A Binghamton on Thursday.

The 21-year-old has been producing a lot of souvenirs lately, slugging eight of his 20 homers on the season over the last 18 games while slashing .273/.347/.682. Vientos remains on track for a potential 2022 big-league debut, particularly if he adapts well to a flexible defensive role -- he's played 10 games each at first base and in left field this season for Binghamton in addition to his regular work at the hot corner.