MLB Player News

Martinez (hamstring) will undergo an MRI after exiting Sunday's game against the Reds, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Martinez was in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup, but he was replaced by a pinch hitter before making a plate appearance. Manager Dave Roberts said that the 35-year-old couldn't run or swing a bat Sunday, and his MRI should help determine the severity of his injury.

Martinez was removed from Sunday's game against the Reds due to left hamstring tightness.

The veteran slugger missed two games with the same issue early last week and apparently isn't fully past the injury. Martinez didn't have a plate appearance Sunday before being replaced for a pinch hitter during the second inning. He'll have Monday's team off day to rest up ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the A's.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lefty Brennan Bernardino is serving as Boston's opener Sunday, which is apparently enough to keep Pederson on the bench to start the contest. The veteran slugger has found his power stroke early in the second half with three homers and a 1.000 OPS through 14 games.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler started the past 26 games, but he has a .441 OPS since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Sunday. Garrett Cooper will rest his legs as the designated hitter while Yuli Gurriel starts at first base.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With Carlos Santana having been traded to the Brewers on Thursday, Choi has settled in as the Pirates' primary option at first base, starting each of the last three games at the position while going 4-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and an additional run and RBI. Though Connor Joe will get the nod at first base Sunday while southpaw Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Choi should be fairly secure in a strong-side platoon role.

Vientos went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 11-6 loss to the Nationals.

The rookie took Andres Machado deep in the ninth inning for a solo shot after ripping an RBI double in the second. Vientos has started five of the last seven games -- three at DH and two at third base -- and he figures to keep a near-everyday role after Tuesday's trade deadline, especially if the Mets ship out players like Tommy Pham and Mark Canha. Vientos is earning that playing time, hitting .333 (7-for-21) since his most recent promotion with two doubles and a homer, but his 1:7 BB:K over that seven-game stretch suggests his batting average will fade even if his power is legit.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three total runs and four total RBI in Saturday's 11-5 win against the Brewers.

Ozuna racked up 10 total bases in the contest, doubling home a run in the first inning, swatting a solo homer in the fifth and adding a two-run shot in the seventh. The veteran had been in a prolonged slump prior to the series against the Brewers, going 4-for-49 with just one long ball over his previous 14 games. However, he's broken out in the first two contests versus Milwaukee this weekend, going 5-for-8 with three homers, two doubles and five RBI.

Blackmon (hand) participated in batting practice Saturday, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports

Blackmon was cleared to resume swinging a bat Sunday and has now begun to ramp up the intensity. Blackmon has been held out since June 11 with a fractured right hand, and he'll likely embark on a rehab assignment before returning to the Rockies lineup.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Saturday against Boston, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

After going 1-for-3 with a solo home run Friday, Pederson will take a seat Saturday against left-hander James Paxton. Michael Conforto will slide into the DH spot while Pederson sits, allowing Austin Slater to start in left field and bat in the leadoff spot.

Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a walk, a double, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Friday's 10-7 win over the Brewers.

The veteran slugger hadn't had a multi-hit performance since July 5, slashing a brutal .082/.132/.143 in the following 14 games with a 3:19 BB:K, but Ozuna appeared to find his stroke again Friday. Atlanta could pick up another bat at the trade deadline to work into the corner outfield/DH mix, but the streaky 32-year-old likely still has some job security after his rampage through May and June. On the season, Ozuna sports a .746 OPS with 19 homers and 44 RBI in 85 contests.