MLB Player News

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.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Beer (shoulder) felt better Wednesday and was considering taking swings prior to that night's game, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Beer sustained a dislocated shoulder during Tuesday's game, and X-rays came negative for bone chips. He had the shoulder put back into place and is considered day-to-day. Lovullo did not offer any more details regarding the player's availability or if Beer will require a stint on the injured list.

Belt went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's loss to the Padres.

Belt's seventh-inning solo shot brought San Francisco to within two runs on the scoreboard, but it was the final tally the Giants were able to muster in the contest. The long ball was Belt's 25th of the campaign, extending his career-best single-season mark. He has gone deep in five of his past eight contests and is slashing .429/.487/.971 with five homers, 11 RBI and 12 runs over that stretch.

Turner went 3-for-4 and scored twice in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Arizona.

The veteran knocked three singles in the contest and crossed the plate in each of the second and fourth innings. The three-hit performance was his first since July 10 and 10th overall this season. Turner has once again provided a steady bat in the Dodgers' lineup throughout the campaign, slashing .280/.366/.476 with 25 home runs and 81 RBI.