Baseball notes: Injury clouds Justin Morneau’s bid for NL batting title

Colorado first baseman Justin Morneau was out of the lineup Saturday after suffering a strained muscle in the left side of his rib cage Friday against St. Louis, an injury that could jeopardize his bid for the National League batting title. Morneau, 33, began Saturday second in the NL with a .315 average, just behind Pittsburgh outfielder Josh Harrison at .318.

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Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton said on his Twitter feed that he was feeling “much better” after sustaining facial fractures and other injuries when he was struck in the face by a pitch from Milwaukee’s Mike Fiers on Thursday. . . . Washington third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, attempting to return from a hamstring injury before the regular season ends, plans to leave Sunday for the instructional league so he can begin playing in games. He hasn’t played since July 22.