MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Miami.

Smith has tallied a base hit in each of his last four starts, but the Dodgers will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's contest and instead start Hunter Feduccia at catcher.

Freeman (knee) will start at first base and bat second Saturday against the Marlins.

Freeman sat out the Dodgers' last two games while battling a knee injury, but he seems to be feeling well enough to play after a couple days of rest. The veteran first baseman has struggled at the plate since the beginning of September, going just 3-for-22 with nine strikeouts in seven games this month.

Suzuki isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Pittsburgh.

Suzuki will get a chance to catch his breath Saturday after going 3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and three runs scored during Friday's win. Tyrone Taylor will fill in as Chicago's right fielder and bat ninth.

The Pirates recalled Simon from Triple-A Indianapolis on Saturday.

Simon was sent down to Triple-A on Friday following Ryan O'Hearn's return from the injured list, but the former will turn around and rejoin the big club with Esmerlyn Valdez (hamstring) landing on the IL. Simon logged just one plate appearance during his previous week-long stint with the Bucs and will likely continue to serve as bench depth until Valdez is healthy.

The Pirates placed Valdez on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a strained left hamstring.

Valdez made an early exit from Friday's contest after injuring himself while running out of the batter's box, and he'll now officially remain out of action until at least Sept. 23. Jake Mangum is set to start in right field Saturday against the Cubs and could see regular playing time until Valdez returns. Meanwhile, Ronny Simon will come up from Triple-A to replenish Pittsburgh's outfield depth.

Basabe isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Padres, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Basabe will retreat to the bench Saturday after starting six of the Giants' last seven games and going 3-for-19 with seven strikeouts in that span. Jonah Cox will fill in at the keystone and bat fourth.

The Cubs placed Thornton on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left ankle soreness, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Thornton has been one of the more reliable members of a shaky Cubs bullpen this season, but his move to the IL will prevent him from pitching in a game until the final day of the regular season. Edward Cabrera (finger) was reinstated from the injured list in a corresponding move and will join Chicago's bullpen to fill the void left by Thornton.

The Cubs reinstated Cabrera (finger) from the injured list Saturday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera has made just one appearance in the majors since the All-Star break due to issues with his left hamstring and, more recently, a blister on his right middle finger. Now fully healthy, the 28-year-old will return to the active roster but move into the bullpen after posting a 5.68 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 76 innings as a starter. His struggles continued into his rehab assignment (six earned runs allowed in 3.2 innings), so he will likely be limited to low-leverage work to begin with. Trent Thornton (ankle) was placed on the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Gonzales isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Gonzales will get a break Saturday after going 9-for-33 (.273) with two RBI and a run scored through his first nine games of September. Jacob Gonzalez will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

Flores isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

Flores has recorded a base hit in each of his last six games, but the Pirates will keep him on the bench to begin Saturday's affair. Henry Davis will take over behind the dish and bat ninth.