MLB Player News

Acuna (calf) was spotted sprinting and doing stop-and-start running in the outfield prior to Sunday's 7-1 win over the Marlins, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

According to MLB.com, Acuna will travel with Atlanta to New York for its series versus the Mets to begin the week, though it's unclear if he's a candidate to get activated from the injured list during the three-game set or if he's merely continuing to work out in front of the big-league training staff. In any case, Acuna seems to be making good progress in his recovery from a Grade 1 right calf strain, which sent him to the IL on July 30. Given that Acuna had already scaled back his involvement in the running game this season upon making his return from ACL surgery May 23, expect his contributions as a base stealer to remain limited down the stretch as he returns from another lower-body injury.

Collins went 3-for-5 with a solo homer, a double and an additional run scored in Sunday's victory over the Mets.

The Milwaukee outfielder drew a start as the second batter in the lineup for the third straight contest and made the most of it, slugging his first walk-off homer in the big leagues. Collins launched a 363-foot solo shot off New York reliever Edwin Diaz to give the Brewers their ninth straight win. The 28-year-old Collins has entered the NL Rookie of the Year Award conversation thanks to a strong .295/.395/.448 slash line with eight homers, 13 steals, 45 runs scored and 40 RBI in 316 total plate appearances across 96 games.

Walker will start in right field and bat fifth in Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Walker will receive his fifth straight start and appears to have gained a foothold in St. Louis' everyday lineup while he's maintained an .803 OPS since the All-Star break. The left-handed-hitting Lars Nootbaar will be the odd man out of the St. Louis outfield while southpaw Shota Imanaga takes the hill for the Cubs, but it was Victor Scott who was on the bench in two of the Cardinals' previous three matchups with right-handed starting pitchers.

Nootbaar is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

The Cubs are sending a lefty (Shota Imanaga) to the hill for the series finale, so the left-handed-hitting Nootbaar will receive the night off. With Nootbaar on the bench, the Cardinals will roll out a starting outfield of Alec Burleson, Victor Scott and Jordan Walker from left to right.

Beck is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Beck will get his first day off of the second half, breaking a streak of 20 consecutive starts. Mickey Moniak will shift over from his usual spot in right field to cover left field in Beck's stead.

Freeman is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Hunter Goodman will serve as Colorado's designated hitter and Yanquiel Fernandez will pick up a start in right field while Freeman rests for the series finale in Arizona. Freeman had started and batted out of the leadoff spot in each of the Rockies' last six games, going 5-for-23 with three walks, one double, two stolen bases and four runs.

Conforto (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Conforto exited Saturday's 9-1 win in the sixth inning after he was struck on the right knee by a pitch during his at-bat earlier in the frame, but manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Conforto felt fine while running the bases and was pulled early because of the score, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. He might have been available to start Sunday if the Dodgers were facing a right-handed pitcher, but the left-handed-hitting Conforto will unsurprisingly be on the bench for the series finale while southpaw Eric Lauer takes the hill for the Blue Jays.

McCray is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

McCray enjoyed a brief run as a strong-side platoon player after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 1, but he appears to have moved into a bench role. Drew Gilbert will get a third straight start Sunday and has seemingly taken over as the Giants' primary right fielder.

Kepler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

With southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for the Rangers, Kepler will take a seat for the series finale. Weston Wilson will replace Kepler in left field and bat ninth.

Marsh is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Marsh will take a seat while Texas sends southpaw Patrick Corbin to the hill. Harrison Bader will replace Marsh in center field and bat sixth.