MLB Player News

Pederson will lead off and play right field against the Rays on Saturday.

Pederson didn't join his new team soon enough to start Friday's contest, but Saturday's lineup makes it clear he'll play a key role for his new team in the second half. The Atlanta lineup is of course not the same with Ronald Acuna (knee) out for the year, but the team still has a few big bats behind him who could help Pederson score plenty of runs as long as he remains in the leadoff spot.

The Athletics reinstated Canha (hip) from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The outfielder had been sidelined since June 25 with tendinitis and a strain in his left hip. In 74 games before the injury, Canha got on base at a .375 clip and hit 11 home runs. With his on-base prowess, the 32-year-old figures to once again be Oakland's everyday leadoff hitter. Skye Bolt was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas in a corresponding move.

Choi went 1-for-6 with a solo home run in Friday's 7-6 win over Atlanta.

Choi took Michael Wacha yard in the fifth, knotting the game up at three apiece. It was his fourth homer of the year and his first since June 27. The 30-year-old is slashing .248/.371/.402 with 10 extra-base hits, 20 RBI, 16 runs scored and 21:39 BB:K over 140 plate appearances this season.

Brantley went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Friday in a 7-1 victory versus the White Sox.

Brantley's homer in the fifth inning gave Houston a 3-1 lead, and he helped pad that margin by singling and scoring in the seventh. The pair of hits pushed his season batting average up to a robust .329, fourth-best in MLB. Brantley also has six homers, 32 RBI and 44 runs scored on the season.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-0 win over the Yankees.

Martinez provided Boston's last run of the game with an eighth-inning blast. The designated hitter is up to 19 homers, 63 RBI, 61 runs scored and a .299/.369/.561 slash line through 371 plate appearances this year. The 33-year-old will likely continue to hit third in Boston's order, giving him plenty of chances to get involved in run production for a top-five offense.

Harper sat out the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins due to dehydration issues, but he is expected to play Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Temperatures were in the mid-90s for the matinee of the doubleheader, in which Harper went 1-for-3 with a double and a run. It sounds like he will be a full-go for the rest of the weekend series.

Lewis (knee) has resumed throwing but hasn't yet resumed swinging, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Lewis had his stitches removed in late June, and he's now been able to resume some baseball activities. Manager Scott Servais has been optimistic that the outfielder will be cleared to return at some point in 2021, but a timetable for his recovery hasn't yet been established.

Canha (hip) will participate in a workout Friday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Shayna Rubin of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Although Canha is unavailable for Friday's series opener against Cleveland, manager Bob Melvin is hoping the right fielder could return to action Saturday or Sunday if his workout goes well. He's been on the injured list with a left hip strain since June 25 but should take over as the primary right fielder once he's cleared to return.

Harper isn't starting the second game of Friday's doubleheader against the Marlins, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper went 1-for-3 with a double and a run in Friday's matinee. Matt Vierling will take over in right field and bat eighth.

Pederson isn't in the lineup Friday against the Rays, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Pederson was acquired by Atlanta on Thursday but will need to wait at least a day before making his first start for his new team. Abraham Almonte will work in right field, while Pederson should join the starting nine later this weekend.