MLB Player News

Church is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest in Milwaukee.

It will be the first day off since Aug. 23 for Church, who is slashing .295/.340/.400 during that stretch. Victor Scott will grab a rare start in center field and will bat ninth for the Cardinals in Friday's series opener.

Bateman (hip) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

Bateman hasn't played since Monday due to right hip discomfort, but his MRI was negative and the Blue Jays have not officially closed the door on him playing again this season. Charles McAdoo will get a turn in the leadoff spot Friday against left-hander Nick Lodolo.

Clark will start in center field and bat leadoff in Friday's contest against the Pirates.

It's the first time in his young big-league career that Clark has batted higher than sixth. The rookie outfielder has not shown signs of slowing down late in the season, slashing .353/.458/.500 with one home run, four stolen bases and an 11:14 BB:K over 20 September games.

The Tigers announced Sept. 18 that Meadows (arm) has been taking part in a hitting progression at the team's spring training facility in Florida, MLB.com reports.

Meadows doesn't appear to be a realistic candidate to return from the 60-day injured list for the Tigers' final series of the season, but he could be in store for something close to a normal offseason. The 26-year-old outfielder slashed just .250/.308/.333 with three stolen bases, three runs and two RBI over 39 plate appearances with Detroit before hitting the shelf after sustaining a fractured left radius bone in his left arm and concussion during an on-field collision April 9.

Bellinger is absent from the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Bellinger will rest during Friday's afternoon contest, but he will likely be back in there for the second game of the twin bill. Heliot Ramos is handling left field for the Yankees in the first game.

Happ is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader in Boston.

Happ is likely to be back in there for the second game of the twin bill, but he'll begin the first tilt on the bench. Tyrone Taylor will play left field and will bat cleanup for the Cubs.

Isbel went 2-for-3 in Thursday's 9-1 loss to the White Sox.

Isbel picked up a pair of singles, marking his first multi-hit effort since Sept. 3. It's been an ice-cold end to the 2026 campaign for the outfielder, as he's hitting just .148/.164/.148 with no RBI and five runs in 20 September contests. On the year, Isbel is slashing .220/.264/.321 with six homers, 24 RBI, 31 runs and six stolen bases over 98 games.

Rafaela is not in the lineup for the first game of Friday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

Rafaela didn't have to miss any starts because of a right hamstring cramp that he suffered Wednesday versus the Guardians. Presumably, he's simply resting for the first game Friday and will be back in action for the nightcap. Jarren Duran will play center field for the Red Sox during the afternoon tilt.

Tatis went 2-for-3 with a walk, one RBI and two stolen bases in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers.

Tatis is up to 38 steals this season, including seven over his last 16 games. He's also batting .369 (24-for-65) with eight extra-base hits in that span. If Tatis keeps running over the weekend against the Diamondbacks, he'll have a chance to reach 40 steals for the first time. He's batting .289 with an .828 OPS, 25 home runs, 82 RBI, 95 runs scored, 31 doubles and three triples over 157 contests this year.

Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Angels.

Rodriguez went deep in the second inning to put the Mariners ahead temporarily. He had gone 11 games without a long ball, though he batted .364 in that span. For the season, the star outfielder is batting .250 with a .718 OPS, 22 homers, 70 RBI, 69 runs scored, 26 doubles and 22 stolen bases over 148 contests in what's been the most challenging campaign of his career.