MLB Player News

Blanco slashed .305/.385/.505 with four home runs and a 28.4 percent strikeout rate in 30 games for the Florida Complex League Pirates before a hamstring injury ended his season at the beginning of July, MLB Pipeline reports.

It's unlikely Blanco makes enough contact to turn into an everyday big leaguer, but he's a fun prospect to dream on because of his 6-foot-7, 243-pound frame and 70-grade raw power. Blanco struck out 37.6 percent of the time as an old-for-the-level 18-year-old in the Dominican Summer League last year and struck out a decent amount again this year as an older player in a rookie league. However, if he's able to maintain his conditioning while improving his hit tool next year in his full-season debut, Blanco's prodigious power would make him a sought after prospect in dynasty leagues.

Lindor (back) will remain out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies, Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza indicated Wednesday that Lindor was unlikely to be ready to play in the series opener versus the Phillies, and Martino has confirmed that the National League MVP candidate will indeed miss his fourth straight start with a back injury. The good news is that Lindor did resume baseball activities Wednesday, per Martino, so progress is being made. Lindor noted Monday after being examined that he expected to miss anywhere from two to five days, and it's going to be toward the latter end of that timetable, at minimum. Luisangel Acuna has started at shortstop of the Mets in each of the last two contests.

Heubeck logged a 3.27 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 36:27 K:BB in 33 innings across 10 appearances for High-A Great Lakes after coming off the development list July 14.

Heubeck had a 2.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 81:38 K:BB in 58.1 innings before going on the development list. Perhaps Heubeck was wearing down physically in the middle of the season and the organization used the development list to give him a couple weeks off, but his control was quite poor all season and especially in the second half. Heubeck, a 6-foot-3 righty, has seen his stuff tick up, as he now has at least an above-average fastball to go with his plus curveball, but there's significant bullpen risk due to his current control issues.

Benson (finger) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Benson hasn't made a start since being removed from a Sept. 12 game against the Cardinals with a left middle finger injury, but he's appeared off the bench in two contests since then and appears to have moved past the issue. The 26-year-old hasn't been a regular in the Cincinnati lineup in September and will likely see sparse playing time heading into the final week of the season.

Walton will start at second base and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Orioles, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Walton will pick up his fourth consecutive start at the keystone, including his third in a row against a right-handed starting pitcher. Since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Walton has gone 2-for-13 with a home run and two walks, but that modest level of production looks like it'll be enough for him to be the favored option at second base over Brett Wisely, who is batting .123 since the beginning of August.

Wisely is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Orioles, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The lefty-hitting Wisely will hit the bench for a second straight game, with the Giants having faced right-handed starters in both contests. The consecutive days off could hint that Wisely has lost hold of a regular role in the middle infield after slashing an abysmal .123/.177/.158 since the beginning of August. Donovan Walton is included in the lineup for a fourth consecutive contest and may be viewed as the Giants' top option at the keystone for now.

Ramos is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Baltimore.

Ramos had started each of the previous 14 games but will get a breather for Thursday's afternoon tilt. The Giants are going with Michael Conforto in left field and Jerar Encarnacion at designated hitter as they try to complete the sweep.

Fraley is absent from the lineup in Thursday's contest versus Atlanta.

Southpaw Chris Sale is on the bump for Atlanta, so Fraley will begin the game on the bench. Amed Rosario will patrol right field for the Reds in Thursday's series finale.

Stephenson is absent from Thursday's lineup versus Atlanta.

Stephenson started the first two games of the series and had made six straight starts overall, but he'll be given some rest during Thursday's afternoon contest. Luke Maile will do the catching for the Reds.

Friedl is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Atlanta has ace lefty Chris Sale on the bump, so the left-handed-hitting Friedl will be given a breather. Blake Dunn is handling center field in the matinee.