MLB Player News

Keith was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros with right wrist soreness.

After belting three home runs during Monday's series opener, Keith will be forced to sit out Tuesday's game to give his wrist a chance to heal. Kerry Carpenter will move into the DH spot with Keith out, allowing Wenceel Perez to start in right field.

Groover will start at designated hitter and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Angels.

Though he'll crack the starting nine Tuesday while southpaw Reid Detmers is on the bump for the Angels, Groover appears likely to lose out on regular playing time against right-handed pitching. After Lourdes Gurriel's recent return from the injured list, Arizona has a bit of a logjam in the corner-outfield spots and designated hitter, which has resulted in Pavin Smith drawing starts at first base over Groover in the Diamondbacks' last two matchups with righties. Smith and Groover could continue to work in a quasi-platoon for the time being, but Groover may be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Reno once Max Kepler (suspension) is eligible to make his Arizona debut June 25. Since being called up from Triple-A earlier this month, Groover has gone 5-for-25 (.200 average) with no extra-base hits, two RBI and one run through his first seven games.

The Dodgers designated Espinal for assignment Tuesday.

Espinal will be the roster casualty necessary to make room on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for Tommy Edman (ankle), who returned from the 60-day IL on Tuesday. Espinal will have the right to elect free agency if he clears waivers, but he could decide to remain with the organization at Triple-A Oklahoma City like he did when he was DFA'd in late May.

Ramirez underwent surgery to address the hamate bone fracture in his left hand Tuesday and is expected to be sidelined 5-to-7 weeks, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.

The veteran third baseman sustained the injury over the weekend against the Tigers and will now be sidelined through the All-Star break. Ramirez hasn't produced at his usual level this season with just 10 homers and a .757 OPS through 72 games, though his 24 stolen bases did put him on pace for a career high prior to the injury.

The Brewers will designate Rengifo for assignment prior to Tuesday's contest against the Guardians, Pat Ragazzo of Athlon Sports reports.

The Brewers need to free up a roster spot for Cooper Pratt, who will be called up for his major-league debut. Rengifo is slashing only .205/.280/.254 with zero home runs this season, and he's started just one of the last four games. With Pratt on the way and David Hamilton and Joey Ortiz also on the roster, Rengifo's playing time was likely to drop further. Rengifo is a safe bet to clear waivers and become a free agent, and if that happens, the Brewers will be responsible of what remains of his $3.5 million salary.

The Dodgers will designate Espinal for assignment prior to Tuesday's game against the Rays, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The transaction will free up spots on the 26-man and 40-man rosters for the return of Tommy Edman (ankle). Espinal stuck around after being outrighted off the 40-man roster in late May and was quickly added back to the big-league roster. He could elect to remain in the organization if he clears waivers again, but Espinal would have the ability to elect free agency.

Baty went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Monday's loss to the Reds.

The 26-year-old continues to get regular starts at third base while the Mets cover for the absence of Francisco Lindor (calf) and other infielders, but Baty has done little with the opportunity. He hasn't homered in 24 straight games, slashing just .211/.277/.237 over that stretch with two doubles, five runs, six RBI and a 28.9 percent strikeout rate that would be a career-worst mark. Lindor is ramping up his activity level and is expected back before the end of the month, and his return should bump Bo Bichette back to third base and send Baty back to the bench, or potentially even Triple-A Syracuse.

Walton went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's loss to Arizona.

Walton gave the Angels an injection of hope with a solo homer with two outs in the ninth inning to narrow the team's deficit to one run, but the comeback attempt fell short. After beginning his season homerless over 17 contests, Walton has now gone deep in back-to-back games and is batting a robust .583 (7-for-12) with four RBI across his past four appearances. He was out of the starting lineup three straight games from June 9 to June 12, but Walton has started at DH in each of the Angels' subsequent three contests.

Paredes went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run and two walks Monday in a loss to Detroit.

Paredes was one of two Astros to reach base multiple times in the defeat, and he put his team on the board with a two-run blast to left field in the third inning. It was a needed showing from the third baseman, who was stuck in a 1-for-21 rut over his past six games coming into Monday. Paredes is still slashing a modest .232/.341/.409 on the campaign, but he ranks third on the Astros in both homers (10) and RBI (35).

Keith went 3-for-4 with three home runs and six RBI in Monday's 9-3 win over the Astros.

After hitting no home runs through his first 62 games of the season, Keith has now gone deep four times in his last four contests, which included his first career three-homer game Monday. The 24-year-old went deep with a runner on in the third and seventh innings, then capped his night with a solo shot in the ninth. The six RBI are also a career best for Keith, who raised his OPS from .634 to .701 with the monster performance.