MLB Player News

Profar went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in Friday's 12-7 loss to the Mets.

It was the third three-hit game of the season by Profar, who fell one RBI short of his season high. The journeyman switch hitter has been on fire since the start of August, slashing .303/.442/.645 with 11 extra-base hits, 21 RBI and four stolen bases across his last 95 plate appearances. Profar has also hit safely in 14 of his 20 outings this month as Atlanta's leadoff batter.

Soto went 3-for-4 with a home run, four RBI, two walks and an additional run scored in Friday's 12-7 win over Atlanta.

Soto smashed a two-run homer, his 32nd long ball of the year, and tied his season high in RBI. The superstar outfielder had a sluggish start to the season by his lofty standards, producing a .770 OPS through May 31, but he's been one of the top hitters in baseball since the start of June. Soto is slashing .269/.411/.574 with 23 homers, 49 RBI and 13 stolen bases over his last 303 plate appearances.

Church will bat ninth and play center field Friday against Tampa Bay.

Church was initially tabbed for a night off, but he'll enter the starting nine Friday after Brendan Donovan (wrist) was scratched. Church is hitless in 14 at-bats this season, but he's driven in two runs, scored four times and stolen a bag.

Burleson was scratched from Friday's lineup with a wrist injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Burleson was initially slated to bat third and play left field, but a wrist injury will prevent him from doing so. Instead, Lars Nootbaar will slide over to left while Nathan Church enters the lineup and plays center field.

Merrill (ankle) is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Friday.

Merrill will ride the bench for a fifth consecutive game while working through a left ankle contusion that he suffered this past Sunday against the Dodgers. It's not clear whether an IL stint is needed, but the lack of new lockers in the Padres' clubhouse doesn't suggest any player being called up from the minors anytime soon, so Merrill could be available to return at some point during this weekend's home series, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Ramon Laureano will start in center field and bat seventh.

Nimmo (neck) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

He'll miss a second straight start while battling a stiff neck. Nimmo is considered day-to-day. The Mets will roll out Tyrone Taylor again in left field in Nimmo's stead.

Church is not in the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rays.

Church started the first three games in center field upon his promotion from Triple-A Memphis, but he's now been on the bench for two of the past three games. The Cardinals will shift Lars Nootbaar over to center field and give Jordan Walker a start in right field.

Fraley (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets.

Fraley tweaked his right knee Saturday while playing for the Reds and was designated for assignment Sunday. Atlanta picked up the veteran outfielder off waivers Tuesday, but Fraley has yet to debut. Given Atlanta has an established outfield trio of Jurickson Profar, Michael Harris and Ronald Acuna, Fraley should be considered unlikely to receive regular playing time when healthy.

Doyle is absent from the lineup for Friday's game in Pittsburgh.

Doyle has had a huge August so far with a 1.155 OPS and six home runs, but he'll get a day off for the first game of a road trip. Mickey Moniak will handle center field.

Matos went 2-for-4 with a triple, a double and a run scored in Thursday's 8-4 loss to the Padres.

Matos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday and immediately made an impact in his return to the big leagues. The 23-year-old led off the third inning with a triple and came around to score the Giants' first run before adding a double in the seventh, marking his first game this season with multiple extra-base hits. He's slashing .178/.218/.381 with 14 runs scored, 13 RBI, five home runs and two stolen bases across 124 MLB plate appearances this season.