MLB Player News

Ruf is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

Ruf has seen a good amount of playing time since joining the Brewers in mid-May, even taking some turns at leadoff, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday versus the Jays and right-hander Alek Manoah. William Contreras is filling the DH role with Victor Caratini playing catcher.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Carpenter broke out of a five-game hitless skid in Tuesday's 9-4 win with a pair of doubles and three RBI, but he'll hit the bench Wednesday with left-hander Braxton Garrett on the mound for Miami. Nelson Cruz will handle designated-hitter duties and hit seventh in place of Carpenter.

Vientos is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

With right-hander Aaron Nola toeing the slab for the Phillies, Mets manager Buck Showalter will roll with the lefty-hitting Daniel Vogelbach in the designated-hitter spot. Vientos has started seven of the Mets' 13 games since being recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, but only three of those starts have come versus right-handed pitching.

Pirates director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk said Wednesday that Choi (Achilles) is participating in "about all" baseball activities in his rehab, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Choi was able to start fielding grounders last week as he recovers from his left Achilles strain, and he's since been able to ramp up his activities even more, with Tomczyk also mentioning that the 32-year-old has started a running progression, per Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The veteran first baseman was transferred to the 60-day injured list in April, so the earliest he'll be able to return to the Pittsburgh lineup is around mid-June.

Morel is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

The slumping Morel will head to the bench for the second time in the series, opening up a spot in the lineup for Miles Mastrobuoni at second base while Nico Hoerner gets a day out of the field and serves as the Cubs' designated hitter. After slugging nine home runs and driving in 15 runs in his first 12 games with the Cubs following his promotion from Triple-A Iowa on May 8, Morel has gone 1-for-17 with seven strikeouts and one walk over his last five starts.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI in Tuesday's 9-4 victory over the Marlins.

Carpenter got San Diego on the board with an RBI double off Sandy Alcantara in the fourth inning, tying the game 1-1. He'd drive in another two runs with his second double in the ninth inning, extending the Padres' lead to 8-4. It's a step in the right direction for Carpenter, who'd been stuck in an 0-for-19 slump coming into Tuesday's contest. He's still slashing just .184/.307/.368 with four home runs and 24 RBI through 137 plate appearances while platooning with Nelson Cruz at DH.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in Tuesday's 9-3 win over the Nationals.

Martinez extended his hitting streak to 14 games with his seventh-inning blast. He's batting .333 (20-for-60) in that span, and he's gone deep in three straight games and five of his last eight. The designated hitter's surge has him up to a .277/.312/.610 slash line with 12 long balls, 39 RBI, 25 runs scored and 13 doubles through 40 contests this season. He remains a fixture in the heart of the Dodgers' potent lineup.

Ruf is serving as the Brewers' designated hitter and batting leadoff Tuesday night against the Blue Jays.

Ruf could be in for an uptick in playing time with Jesse Winker landing on the injured list Tuesday due to a cervical strain. The 36-year-old got a turn at leadoff last Friday versus the Giants and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Harper is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

This is a planned day of physical and mental rest for Harper, who went hitless (but drew three walks) over the final three games of the Phillies' four-game weekend series at Atlanta. Kyle Schwarber will take a turn out of the DH spot Tuesday in Queens and Dalton Guthrie will cover left field.

Winker was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to May 28, with a cervical strain.

The injury had been described as neck discomfort, but further resting revealed the strain. There is not yet an estimated recovery timetable on Winker, who has scuffled to a brutal .204/.315/.231 batting line in 39 games when healthy this season for the Brewers. Abraham Toro will fill the vacant spot in Milwaukee's active roster.