MLB Player News

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.

Harper went 3-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored Thursday against the Cubs.

All of Harper's hits went for extra bases, highlighted by a three-run homer in the seventh inning. It was his 33rd home run of the season and seventh of September. The recent hot stretch has allowed Harper to lock in the fifth 30-homer campaign of his career, and he could also tally 100 runs, as his current total sits at 92.

Choi isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

Choi will be out of the lineup for a second straight game with left-hander Tyler Alexander on the mound for the Tigers. Jordan Luplow will start at first base and bat sixth.

Ohtani is starting Thursday's game against the White Sox as the designated hitter.

Ohtani is dealing with some arm soreness after he played catch Wednesday, and he'll be unable to make his scheduled start on the mound Friday as a result. However, manager Joe Maddon described the 27-year-old's issue as late-season fatigue rather than an injury, and he'll be able to continue hitting.

Ohtani won't start Friday's game against the Athletics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Joe Maddon initially expected Ohtani to start Friday's series opener, but his arm is apparently sore after he played catch Wednesday. It's not yet clear when the right-hander will next take the mound, but Maddon said Thursday that he's hopeful that Ohtani will pitch again this season.

Blackmon will sit Thursday against Atlanta, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

The Rockies elected to sit several of their top bats on getaway day with the team set to fly up to Washington at the conclusion of the afternoon contest. Blackmon is seemingly due for a rest, as he's gone 3-for-25 with 11 strikeouts over his last seven games. Sam Hilliard gets the start in right field.

Winker (ribs) will play in another rehab game Thursday and could return as soon as Friday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker has been out for just over a month while battling an intercostal strain. He's gone 0-for-5 in a pair of rehab games thus far, but the Reds have started losing ground in a very tight playoff race and may decide that he's their best option even if he hasn't quite found his groove yet.