MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker acknowledged that Alvarez is being held out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to a hand injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker didn't say whether the injury is to Alvarez's throwing (right) hand or the opposite one, but the skipper noted that the team doesn't believe it's a serious concern. With Alvarez on the bench for the series finale, J.J. Matijevic will start at designated hitter and bat sixth.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to an unspecified injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 24-year-old was removed from Saturday's contest after suffering the injury on a swing during the seventh inning, though the specifics of the issue remain unclear. Alvarez will be sidelined for at least one game, and he'll have the benefit of additional rest Monday since the Astros have a scheduled off day. J.J. Matijevic will bat sixth as the designated hitter Sunday for Houston.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez went 5-for-17 with three RBI while starting the past five games, but he'll head to the bench for Sunday's series finale in Baltimore. Brett Phillips will start in right field while Randy Arozarena serves as the designated hitter.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

With the Tigers wrapping up their series with the Rangers with a day game, Cabrera will get some routine maintenance. Eric Haase replaces Cabrera in the lineup as Detroit's designated hitter.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI single and two runs scored in Saturday's victory over the Rangers.

Cabrera sent Willi Castro home on a single in the fourth. Cabrera crossed the plate thanks to an Eric Haase home run and a wild pitch by Jose Leclerc. The veteran has played well lately, with at least one hit in each of his last five games, including three multi-hit games. He is now slashing .297/.333/.376

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with three RBI in a 7-6 win over the Orioles on Saturday.

Ramirez hit a single, a two-run double and a game-winning sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth for another positive night at the plate. The 27-year-old outfielder is hitting .293 on the season and has been hot in June, slashing .342/.381/.395 in 12 games entering Saturday. His 98th percentile ranking in xBA suggest his batting average is legitimate, and he has shown an ability to hit the ball hard, even if his home run totals (two) are low.

Choi went 2-for-5 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 7-6 victory over Baltimore.

Choi struggled with elbow issues earlier in the season which saw him take a trip to the injured list, but he is swinging a hot bat in June. He entered Saturday with a .348/.392/.522 slash line this month. The veteran first baseman combines a patient approach at the plate with enough power for the Rays to like him slotted into the cleanup spot against right-handed pitchers, though he doesn't play much versus southpaws.

Winker is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Winker will end up on the bench for the beginning of both games of this twin bill, but he did appear off the bench in the matinee, going 1-for-2 with a strikeout. Justin Upton is starting at designated hitter while Adam Frazier starts in left field.

Buxton will sit Saturday against Arizona, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton has avoided the injured list all season, though it's taken frequent rests for that to happen. He'll sit here after starting five consecutive games, the second-longest run of starts he's had all year. Nick Gordon (hamstring) will get the start in center field.

Winker will sit for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels,.

The Mariners will likely give many of their regulars a rest in one of the day's two games. The Angels are sending out southpaws (Patrick Sandoval and Jose Suarez) in both contests, so it likely didn't matter much which game Winker would sit for. Dylan Moore will take over in left field.