MLB Player News

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Miami.

Pederson batted leadoff for just the second time this season. He got on base in his first two plate appearances and scored after walking in the third inning. Josh Smith, who normally leads off for Texas, was dropped to sixth in the order. It's unclear if manager Bruce Bochy plans to continue using Pederson atop the order against right-handed pitching, or if this was a one-off decision.

Jones went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to Atlanta.

The Detroit outfielder got the start with Atlanta sending Joey Wentz to the mound, and as he often does, Jones delivered against a southpaw. He's sporting a .935 OPS with six home runs in 94 at-bats against opposite-handed pitching this season. His platoon role limits his fantasy ceiling, but Jones remains a good daily option versus lefties.

The Tigers designated Morton for assignment Sunday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Detroit acquired Morton from Baltimore at the trade deadline with the expectation that he would bolster the team's rotation, but the veteran hurler struggled during his time with the Tigers, posting a 7.09 ERA, 1.60 WHIP and 47:23 K:BB over 39.1 innings. His most recent start was particularly disastrous, as he gave up six earned runs over 1.1 frames against Atlanta on Friday. The right-hander will likely finish the campaign with his worst ERA (5.89) since he posted a 7.57 mark with Pittsburgh in 2010. The Tigers selected the contract of Tanner Rainey from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday to fill Morton's spot on the 40-man roster.

McGuire went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.

Picking up a start for the resting Carson Kelly, McGuire belted his ninth home run of the season in the fifth inning. With Miguel Amaya (ankle) missing significant time this year, McGuire has served as Kelly's top backup behind the plate. However, Amaya recently began a rehab assignment and could return to the Cubs before the regular season ends. His health will factor into McGuire's potential role on Chicago's playoff roster.

Busch went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Reds.

Busch took Cincinnati starter Zack Littell deep in the third inning, giving him 30 homers in a season for the first time in his MLB career. The Chicago first baseman has been on a power surge lately, as he now has four long balls across his last eight games. Busch should remain a key offensive cog for the Cubs as they head into the playoffs, though he figures to remain on the bench when the team faces a lefty starter.

Shaw is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Shaw's streak of nine consecutive starts will come to an end Sunday, as he'll yield to Justin Turner at third base. The rookie went 6-for-31 (.194 average) with a home run and a 4:6 BB:K during the nine-game stretch.

Langford (side) entered Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Marlins in the ninth inning as a pinch runner.

Langford was held out of starting lineups Friday and Saturday due to tightness in his side. The Rangers believe running the bases wouldn't impact the injury as other baseball activities might, like twisting his body in the field or swinging a bat. However, Saturday's activity is a positive sign that Langford could return to the starting nine Sunday.

Pomeranz (2-2) allowed a run on two hits across an inning of work to take the loss Saturday against the Reds. He struck out two.

The southpaw entered a 2-2 game in the fifth inning after Chicago starter Javier Assad covered four innings, and Pomeranz allowed a solo home run to Spencer Steer. This was the first run allowed by the veteran reliever over his last seven appearances, and he still has a sparkling 2.30 ERA for the season to go along with a 10.0 K/9. Pomeranz should stick in a key relief role for the Cubs as they head into the playoffs.

Crow-Armstrong is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Crow-Armstrong will get Sunday off after starting each of the last 12 games while going 7-for-45 (.156 average) with two doubles, a home run and three stolen bases during that stretch. Kevin Alcantara will patrol center field and bat ninth in Crow-Armstrong's stead.

Schneemann went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader sweep of Minnesota. He went 0-for-5 with a run scored in the nightcap.

Schneemann clubbed his 12th home run of the season in the fifth inning of the matinee, his first since Aug. 31. He continues to slot in wherever the Guardians need him and has appeared in 16 of Cleveland's 20 games in September, but he hasn't done much at the plate. Schneemann is slashing .149/.200/.255 with one homer, five RBI and six runs scored this month.