MLB Player News

Lewis (concussion) started in left field for the first time in his rehab assignment during Triple-A Tacoma's loss to Oklahoma City on Tuesday and also hit a home run for the fourth straight game in one of his two plate appearances.

Lewis exited the game in the top of the fifth inning for a defensive replacement, but not before leaving the yard yet again via a fourth-inning solo shot to center field. The 27-year-old certainly appears to have his timing back at the plate after going 5-for-9 with four round trippers and seven RBI in his last four games, but the Mariners would likely want to see him play at least one full game in the field before activation is considered.

Martinez (undisclosed) is starting at designated hitter and batting third against the Rays on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez is back in the starting lineup after suffering from some unspecified soreness Tuesday and failing to play in the Red Sox's loss to the Rays. The 34-year-old currently owns a four-game hit streak, batting .412 with a homer, four RBI and seven runs over that span.

Cabrera isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Cabrera is in the midst of a cold spell at the plate in which he's hit .045 with a double, three RBI, a run and a stolen base over the last six games. He'll get a breather while Harold Castro serves as the designated hitter and bats fifth.

Miller started at designated hitter and went 0-for-2 in Tuesday's 14-7 extra-innings loss to Oakland.

After Kole Calhoun started at DH on Monday, Miller got the start in the Rangers' second game without Mitch Garver, who had been the primary DH before undergoing season-ending surgery on his forearm. While Garver's injury creates more opportunities for Miller, he's still subject to matchups and is often pinch hit for against lefties, as was the case Tuesday when A.J. Puk entered the contest.

Manager Alex Cora said Martinez didn't appear off the bench during Tuesday's loss to the Rays due to some soreness, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The 34-year-old was held out of the lineup Tuesday for what appeared to be a routine maintenance day, but Cora announced after the game the slugger is managing some soreness. It doesn't appear to be a serious issue, so Martinez could be back in the starting nine for Wednesday's contest.

Cabrera went 0-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and two RBI in Tuesday's win over the Royals. He also stole a base.

Cabrera had a productive night considering he didn't record a hit. He had a sacrifice fly and a groundout, then later stole his first base since 2020 and only his second since 2015. Speed is obviously not a big part of the veteran's game, as the last time he recorded more than a single steal in a season was 2013. Cabrera has still been reasonably effective this year with a .287 batting average.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said over the weekend that Brantley (shoulder) is without a timeline for a return, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley became eligible to come off the 10-day injured list last Friday, but the 35-year-old apparently wasn't close to being activated. Baker has been notoriously evasive when asked about players' injuries this season, but he at least revealed that Brantley's aching right shoulder has been "slow to respond" since he landed on the IL on June 28. Brantley had been spotted running in the outfield Friday, but he has yet to resume any hitting activity, which will be the true barometer for the health of his shoulder. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on Brantley returning before the All-Star break, and more clarity on where he stands in his recovery may not come until the Astros reconvene after the Midsummer Classic.

Martinez isn't in the lineup Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

It appears to be a regular day off for Martinez, who has played every day since the beginning of July and has slashed .317/.349/.512 in that stretch. Rafael Devers is the designated hitter Tuesday.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Since joining the Yankees in late May, Carpenter has turned in a monstrous 1.306 OPS in 77 plate appearances, which has allowed him to push for more playing time in an already crowded lineup. Even with American League MVP candidate Aaron Judge taking a seat Tuesday, the Yankees won't have room for Carpenter in the starting nine. Carpenter will hit the bench after starts in each of the past six games between designated hitter, left field and right.

The Mariners reinstated Winker on Monday after he completed his six-game suspension.

One of three Mariners players handed a suspension for his role in a June 26 benches-clearing brawl with the Angels, Winker was initially handed a seven-game ban before it was reduced to six following an appeal. He ended up missing the entirety of the Mariners' six-game slate last week, but he should be ready to reclaim an everyday role in left field or at designated hitter in the final week before the All-Star break.