MLB Player News

Brantley went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 3-2 loss against the Reds on Wednesday.

It looked like Brantley's two-run blast was going to hold up, but the Reds came back in the bottom of the ninth to win. Still, owners have to be pleased with Brantley's series in Cincinnati, where he went 7-for-13 (.538) with three extra-base hits in three games. Overall, he is batting .321 with 11 home runs, 42 RBI, 36 runs and three steals in 277 at-bats this season.

Cabrera is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against Pittsburgh, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Lingering knee issues are expected to keep Cabrera limited almost exclusively to designated hitter duty for the rest of the season and likely the rest of his career, though he did play first base Tuesday due to the lack of a DH in the National League park. He's back on the bench Wednesday for the series finale but should reclaim his DH spot Friday in Cleveland.

Martinez went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Twins in 17 innings.

The hitless performance resulted in a nine-point drop in Martinez's batting average, which now sits at .292 for the season. The Red Sox have yet to unveil their lineup for Wednesday's series finale, but it wouldn't be a surprise if Martinez received a day off after the poor showing in the marathon loss.

Stanton is not in Wednesday's lineup against the Rays, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton will head to the bench for Wednesday's series finale as the Yankees look to ease him back into action following a lengthy stay on the injured list. Brett Gardner is starting in left field in place of Stanton, who went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts in his first game back Tuesday.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez drew starts in left field for the first two games of the series in Cincinnati, but the lack of the designated hitter being available will cost him a spot in the lineup in the series finale. Since popping off for four home runs and six walks over his first five big-league starts, Alvarez has gone 2-for-13 with a 0:4 BB:K.

Brantley went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Reds.

Brantley has been Mr. Consistent for the Astros. Since a five-game run without a hit between March 31 and April 5, he hasn't gone hitless in more than two straight contests and leads the team with a .315 batting average.

Soler went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in a victory over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Soler took Yusei Kikuchi deep to center in the third inning for his sixth home run in June and third in the last four games. The 27-year-old is having a breakout season in his first opportunity as a full-time starter, already having established career highs in home runs (20) and RBI (52). He is slashing .245/.304/.527 on the season.

Jimenez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and one run scored Tuesday against the Cubs.

Jimenez provided the game-winning runs in the ninth frame, taking Pedro Strop deep on a two-run shot for his 12th home run of the season. It was redemption for Jimenez, as he came to the plate with the bases-loaded in the first inning, but grounded into a double plate to squander the chance. He's proven plenty efficient at the plate of late, smacking six home runs in his past nine games while also recording five multi-hit games in the same span. After a slow start to the season, Jimenez is suddenly hitting .254/.310/.497 across 187 plate appearances.

Choi isn't in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Choi will head to the bench with J.A. Happ set to toe the rubber for New York. Travis d'Arnaud draws the start at first base and is leading off in Choi's absence.

Cabrera is starting at first base and batting third Tuesday against Pittsburgh, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera will indeed see at least some time at first base this season, even after Detroit reported a week ago that he wouldn't play the field again in 2019. The club figures to keep a close eye on his lingering knee issue, and he's expected to slot in as the designated hitter for the majority of his starts moving forward.