MLB Player News

The Blue Jays reinstated Martinez from his 80-game suspension Monday and optioned him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.

Martinez was handed an 80-game ban in June for violating MLB's performance-enhancing drugs policy and began a rehab assignment Sept. 6 at Triple-A Buffalo. With Buffalo's season ending Sunday and the Blue Jays not eager to open up a spot for him on the active roster for the final week of the season, Martinez will head to Toronto's spring training complex in Florida for additional work. Despite the suspension presenting a bump in the road in his development, the 22-year-old performed well in 74 games at Triple-A Buffalo this season, batting .267 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI. Martinez should get every opportunity in the spring to compete for a spot on Toronto's Opening Day roster.

Walton is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

After being given four straight starts at second base, Walton has now started just one of the last four contests at the position. The Giants have started four different players at the keystone over that time, with Casey Schmitt getting the call for Monday's series opener.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

After Rafael Devers suffered a right shoulder injury Friday before landing on the injured list a day later, Gonzalez picked up each of the ensuing three starts at third base, going 3-for-10 with a home run, a stolen base and five RBI across those contests. Though he'll give way to Nick Sogard at the hot corner Monday, Gonzalez still looks to be the Red Sox's preferred option at the position entering the final week of the season.

Marte is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Giants.

Marte will hit the bench for the third time since he was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Sept. 6 after missing three weeks with an ankle sprain. Kevin Newman will step in at second base in place of Marte, who is slashing .271/.407/.625 with five home runs, one stolen base, 12 RBI and nine runs across 14 games in September.

Albies went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's win over the Marlins.

Hitting right-handed against righty Darren McCaughan, Albies lofted the second pitch he saw in the first inning down the left-field line. It was Albies' first long ball in three games since coming off the IL, and first since July 6. The 27-year-old still isn't able to bat left-handed due to soreness in his wrist, but that might not be a bad thing for his production over the final week of the regular season -- he has just a .225/.292/.360 slash line this year in 298 plate appearances while hitting from the left side of the plate.

The Rays activated Palacios (knee) from the 10-day injured list Monday.

Palacios has been sidelined since early August with a right knee sprain but has been cleared to return after playing five rehab games with Triple-A Durham. The 27-year-old could see a few starts in the final week between second base and the outfield.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Sunday against the Angels.

Altuve led off the fifth inning with a solo home run to give him 20 homers on the year. This marks the first season that he's managed to record both 20 long balls and 20 stolen bases since 2017, and he's also maintained an impressive .295 average with 92 runs scored across 669 plate appearances.

Lowe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Lowe has had an all-or-nothing approach at the plate, as he smacked his fourth homer in his last 13 games Sunday. On the other hand, he also has a 29.2 percent strikeout rate in that span -- including three games with multiple strikeouts. Overall, Lowe has managed to record 20 home runs for the second consecutive season despite appearing in only 102 games.

Stott went 0-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases in Sunday's loss to the Phillies.

Stott posted his seventh multi-walk game of the year and just his second such effort since May 14. His multi-steal game was his fifth of the year and brought him up to 31 stolen bases, which ties the career high he set last year. Stott has now reached safely in seven straight games and is slashing .244/.317/.357 with 11 homers, 54 RBI, 62 runs and a 53:91 BB:K in 552 plate appearances.

Rodgers went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Dodgers.

Rodgers had three hard hit balls in play and had a double that would've been a home run in 11 ballparks. Rodgers last homered Aug. 30 and has just five RBI in September while hitting .183 with a 36.4 percent strikeout rate through 18 games this month.