MLB Player News

Pittsburgh activated Choi (Achilles) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Choi is finally recovered from the left Achilles strain that has kept him out since mid-April, just in time to serve as a DH option for the Pirates as Andrew McCutchen (elbow) heads to the 10-day IL. Choi went 10-for-31 (.323) with three homers and nine RBI on a nine-game rehab assignment split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh placed McCutchen on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 6, with right elbow discomfort.

McCutchen missed a few games in late June due to right elbow soreness, and the issue seems to have carried over into July as he'd gone 0-for-17 with two walks and six strikeouts over his last four games. The veteran is eligible to return July 16 -- the Sunday after the All-Star break -- and could be an important asset for the Pirates if he's able to carry a clean bill of health into the August 1 trade deadline.

Pederson is not in the lineup Friday versus the Rockies.

Wilmer Flores will serve as the designated hitter against left-hander Austin Gomber. The left-handed-hitting Pederson has gone 3-for-15 in limited action this year against southpaws.

Winker is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Reds.

Winker will take a seat as the Brewers face off with southpaw Andrew Abbott on Friday. William Contreras will take over at designated hitter while Victor Caratini starts at catcher and bats eighth.

Lewis entered Thursday's game after Corbin Carroll was removed due to a shoulder injury and want 0-for-2.

Carroll left immediately following a swing in the sixth inning and is set to undergo an MRI on Friday. More will be learned about the length of Carroll's absence following the exam, but it's safe to assume the Diamondbacks will hold him out through the All-Star break at a minimum. That means Lewis or Dominic Fletcher will be used this weekend against the Pirates. Lewis is 1-for-11 since being called up from Triple-A Reno on June 30.

McCutchen is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers.

McCutchen will sit for the second time in the last four games amid a 17 at-bat hitless stretch. Carlos Santana will hit fourth and serve as the designated hitter while Connor Joe will enter the lineup to play first base and hit fifth.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, an additional run scored and a walk in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Pirates.

Martinez entered Wednesday 0-for-12 over the last three games, starting July cold after a hot finish to June. The designated hitter ended the drought with his go-ahead blast in the fifth inning, which got him to the 20-homer mark for the eighth time in the last 10 seasons. He's added 59 RBI, 41 runs scored, 19 doubles, two triples and a stolen base while slashing .251/.296/.553 over 70 contests this season. Martinez remains a reliable power bat, but his 6.0 percent walk rate and 30.2 strikeout rate are among the worst marks of his career, suggesting a worsening batting eye.

Vogelbach isn't in the Mets' lineup Wednesday against Arizona, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

With left-hander Tommy Henry starting on the mound for the D-backs, Vogelbach will remain in the dugout to begin Wednesday's game. Mark Canha will take over as the Mets' designated hitter and bat ninth.

Pederson is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners.

Wilmer Flores will serve as the Giants' designated hitter with left-hander Tommy Milone set to take the mound for Seattle. Pederson has drawn only 19 plate appearances versus southpaws this year.

Winker is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs.

Jahmai Jones will fill the DH role for the Brewers with left-hander Justin Steele set to toe the slab for the visiting Cubs. Winker has drawn only 13 plate appearances this year versus lefties, compared to his 156 plate appearances versus righties.