MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a sacrifice fly and a walk in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mariners.

Alvarez has homered in both games since he returned from a hand injury that sidelined him heading into the All-Star break. Per Statcast, Alvarez's 414-foot solo shot in the fourth inning was the hardest-hit ball of the contest with an exit velocity of 108.2 mph. The 25-year-old continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball with a .310/.409/.675 slash line, 28 long balls, 65 RBI, 60 runs scored, 12 doubles and two triples through 325 plate appearances.

Brantley (shoulder) could begin swinging a bat within the next week, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley has been sidelined since June 26 and has made limited progress since. He'll take the first step in his return to the field but will need to ramp up his activity and complete a rehab appearance prior to being activated. Brantley could return at some point in early August.

Martinez was removed from Friday's lineup due to back spasms, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Martinez was initially in the lineup versus the Blue Jays at designated hitter, but he should now be considered day-to-day. Rob Refsnyder replaces him for the series opener against Toronto.

Martinez was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against the Blue Jays, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

After was originally reported to be starting at designated hitter, Martinez was removed from the lineup for an undisclosed reason. It's possible that his back has acted up again, but more information will likely be provided Friday evening.

Jimenez (leg) is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth in Friday's series opener against the Guardians, Vinnie Duber of AllCHGO.com reports.

Jimenez is back in the lineup after he missed the team's final four games before the All-Star break while dealing with right leg tightness. He'll be the DH in his return, likely a conscious decision by the White Sox to ease him back into action.

Reyes isn't starting Friday against the White Sox, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Reyes has gone 2-for-16 with a run, a walk and six strikeouts over his last five games and will get an additional day off following the All-Star break. Josh Naylor is serving as the designated hitter while Owen Miller starts at first base.

Lewis (concussion) was activated from the 7-day injured list Friday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

As expected, Lewis is back on the Mariners' active roster for the first time since late May. In limited action this season, the outfielder has gone 4-for-15 with two homers, three RBI and three runs over four contests. Justin Upton elected free agency after he was optioned from the big-league roster Friday, clearing a spot for Lewis on the active roster.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, three RBI and two runs scored in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Alvarez was in the starting lineup as the designated hitter after being activated from the injured list earlier Thursday. He took Domingo German yard in the first inning and also drove in two with a double in the second frame. It doesn't appear that the hand injury that forced Alvarez to miss the team's previous seven games will hamper his performance moving forward. For the season, he owns an excellent .309/.408/.665 line with 27 home runs, 59 runs scored and 63 RBI across 321 plate appearances.

Alvarez (hand) will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 3 batter in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Yankees, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Houston activated Alvarez from the 10-day injured list prior to Game 1, but he was withheld from the lineup for the early contest, as manager Dusty Baker understandably wasn't keen on having the team's top hitter play 18 innings in one day in his first game back from an injury. Alvarez still made a cameo off the bench as a pinch hitter in the Astros' 3-2 win in Game 1, walking in his lone plate appearance. As expected, he'll now re-enter the lineup for what will be his first start since July 9.

Ramirez (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Thursday, retroactive to July 18, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Ramirez suffered a right thumb fracture after he was hit by a pitch Sunday against the Athletics. He's expected to be re-evaluated at the end of the month and is not eligible to return until July 28, though he's unlikely to be healthy by that point. The Rays signed Roman Quinn to a major-league contract on Thursday, and the outfielder will replace Ramirez on the active roster.