MLB Player News

Brantley (illness) will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

Brantley will make his way back to the starting nine after a two-game absence while he dealt with a non-COVID-19-related illness. With the veteran having since cleared all protocols related to the virus, he'll be eased back into the lineup in a non-defensive role. With two home runs, eight runs, seven RBI and no stolen bases through 17 games this season, Brantley has been a modest producer in the counting categories, but his .290 average has been a boon for fantasy managers in a year where batting averages have cratered league-wide.

Martinez (groin) will serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter and cleanup batter in Sunday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Adductor discomfort has relegated Martinez to the bench for each of Boston's last three games, but he'll make his way back into the starting nine for the series finale in Baltimore after showing improvement while he was idle. Christian Arroyo -- who had served as Boston's DH for both of the previous two contests -- will head back to the bench to make room in the lineup for Martinez.

Buxton (hand) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Sunday's game against the Rays.

A late scratch ahead of Saturday's 9-1 win with a right hand contusion, Buxton was able to make an appearance off the bench in the game. After being checked out early Sunday, he'll make his way back into the lineup. He'll be looking to break an 0-for-11 rut at the dish over his last three starts, but even with the minor slump, Buxton is still holding down a magnificent 1.069 OPS for the campaign.

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays.

Alvarez owned a .698 OPS at the end of play April 23, but with him going 11-for-25 (.440) with three homers, a double and five walks in the seven games he has appeared in since, his OPS now sits at a robust .994.

Manager Alex Cora expects Martinez (groin) to start Sunday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game, but Cora's comments -- and the fact Martinez will be available to pinch hit Saturday -- suggest that was only a precautionary measure.

Martinez (groin) was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez was initially slated to return from a two-game absence Saturday, but he's apparently still dealing with his adductor injury. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Christian Arroyo will step in as the designated hitter and bat sixth.

Torrens went 1-for-3 with a three-run double and an RBI sacrifice fly in a loss to the Marlins on Friday.

Torrens emptied the bases with his timely second-inning two-bagger, plating Jarred Kelenic, Abraham Toro and J.P. Crawford. His ninth-inning sac fly then drove home Julio Rodriguez, giving Torrens his first four RBI of the season. The 25-year-old has made three appearances since returning from the COVID-19 injured list, going 2-for-8 with three strikeouts during that span.

Buxton was a late scratch from Saturday's lineup against the Rays due to a right hand contusion, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton was hit by a pitch on his right hand Friday, and he'll be removed from the lineup as a precautionary measure. However, he's available off the bench, so it's unlikely the 28-year-old will miss much time. Gilberto Celestino will shift to center field while Trevor Larnach enters the lineup in right.

Miller isn't starting Saturday's game against Atlanta.

Miller batted near the bottom of the order in the last three games and went 2-for-10 with two RBI and three strikeouts. He'll get a breather while Zach Reks starts in left field and bats seventh.

Martinez (groin) is starting Saturday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez missed the last two games after aggravating an adductor injury Wednesday, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth during Saturday's matchup. In his three appearances prior to his absence, he went 4-for-13 with three doubles, a run, an RBI and five strikeouts.