MLB Player News

Ford (hamstring) was activated off the 7-day DL on Tuesday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Ford was dealing with a bout of hamstring tightness, but the ailment ended up costing him fewer than two weeks. The 25-year-old has hit well in limited playing time at Triple-A, slashing .320/.433/.660 in 13 games. Given the big league club's struggles at first base this year, Ford could eventually be considered for a call-up now that he's healthy.

Choi was designated for assignment by the Yankees on Wednesday.

This move doesn't seem to be a result of Choi's performance this season. As the left-handed half of a platoon at first base, the 26-year-old went 4-for-18 with two home runs and five RBI. However, with Todd Frazier joining the Bronx Bombers, Chase Headley will move over to fill Choi's role at first base, leaving the latter without a role in the big leagues. He'll head back to the minors to provide organizational depth, although this strong showing (albeit in a small sample size) could create some intrigue while he's exposed to waivers.

Martinez will be traded to the Diamondbacks, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

The two sides have not confirmed, and in fact Martinez is still listed as in Detroit's starting lineup for Tuesday, but terms of the deal have reportedly been finalized. Martinez has been incredible since returning from a foot injury in mid-May, slashing .305/.388/.630 with 16 homers in 57 games, and he should benefit from a big upgrade in home park and a better lineup around him.

Martinez (back) is starting in right field and hitting fifth Tuesday against the Royals, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

He was lifted from Monday's game as a precaution with lower back tightness, but all appears to be well a day later. Martinez has been talked about as a high-end target at this year's trade deadline, and is hitting .317 with eight home runs over his last 39 games.

Lewis (knee) is 3-for-10 with three runs scored since returning from the disabled list with the Arizona League Mariners.

The top prospect started the season with the club's Low-A affiliate in Clinton, but he'll head to rookie ball to get back into the swing of things. Given that he's 22 years old and holds an .881 OPS in the 10 games he's played in the AZL, he likely will move up to either Low- or High-A relatively soon.

Jimenez has gone 4-for-10 with a double, five RBI, four walks and two strikeouts at High-A Winston Salem over his first three games since being acquired by the White Sox.

The White Sox have a loaded farm system after parting with several veterans since last winter. The latest prize is Jimenez, who is widely regarded as a top prospect regardless of who's doing the evaluation. He's at least two years away from being an outfield regular in the major leagues.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins will send Vargas to the minor leagues in order to open up a 25-man roster spot for Tuesday's scheduled starter, Bartolo Colon. Vargas currently holds a .244 average with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 176 at-bats this season. He'll likely rejoin the big-league club in the not-so-distant future.

Martinez was removed from Monday's game against the Royals with lower back tightness.

The Tigers are calling Martinez's removal "precautionary," so it appears that the star right fielder isn't dealing with anything serious. He'll be listed as day-to-day, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the starting lineup Tuesday.

Martinez was removed from Monday's game against the Royals in the sixth inning, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The reason for Martinez's early removal is not yet known, as the outfielder did not appear to suffer any sort of injury before being replaced by Alex Presley. Martinez has been the subject of trade rumors lately, so it's possible that the 29-year-old is on the move, but no word has come down on that front.

Choi is out of the lineup Monday against the Twins, Pete Caldera of The Record reports.

Unless the Yankees add a first baseman via trade prior to the deadline, it looks like Choi and Garrett Cooper will work in a platoon at the position. As the left-handed hitter of the two, Choi stands to see the larger portion of the at-bats, but with the Yankees facing a fourth lefty starter in five games, the 26-year-old will hit the bench once again.