MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Martinez (back) will face live pitching at the Dodgers' spring facility in Arizona this week, and the slugger should be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Padres, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

It was previously reported the 35-year-old lined up to return during the three-game set in Milwaukee that begins Monday, but it now appears he's set to be activated Friday. Given Martinez has exclusively served as a designated hitter over the past two seasons, it's not a major surprise he's expected to return without requiring a minor-league rehab assignment.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.

Carpenter will sit for the second time in San Diego's past three games with lefty Julio Urias pitching for Los Angeles. Nelson Cruz will bat fifth as the designated hitter.

McCutchen (ankle) is not in the lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's starting nine due to a sprained left ankle, and he'll sit Sunday for the third consecutive game. It's unclear if the veteran slugger will be available off the bench. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the designated hitter while Miguel Andujar receives a start in the outfield.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

The 36-year-old looks to be receiving some routine maintenance while the Rockies and Mets wrap up their series with a day game. Randal Grichuk will replace Blackmon as the Rockies' designated hitter, while Jurickson Profar steps into Blackmon's usual spot atop the batting order.

Harper went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Red Sox.

Harper connected on his first long ball of the campaign in the fifth inning, swatting a 396-foot solo shot to left-center field. It hasn't taken long for the star slugger to get his feet under him after opening the season on the injured list following Tommy John surgery last November. Through four games since his return, Harper is slashing .375/.444/.525 with three runs, two walks and two extra-base hits.

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in a 5-4 victory against Baltimore on Saturday.

Ozuna opened the scoring in the contest with a solo shot to right field in the third inning. The veteran has been on a heater of late, going 5-for-16 with four long balls and seven RBI over his past four games. Ozuna is still trying to dig out of a rough start that has his season slash line at .152/.256/.392, but he has as many homers this season (six) as both Ronald Acuna and Austin Riley. His recent surge seems to have allowed him to recapture a near-everyday role, as Saturday's game marked his fifth consecutive start.

Blackmon went 0-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored Saturday against the Mets.

Blackmon drew a leadoff walk to begin the game and ultimately came around to score. He otherwise had an unremarkable game, though he has six RBI and three runs scored across his last five starts. On the season, Blackmon has maintained a .261/.365/.400 line across 137 plate appearances and has struck out at just a 12.3 percent clip.

Soler went 2-for-3 with a walk, a solo home run and a second run scored in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Cubs.

The 31-year-old slugger remains feast or famine at the plate. Soler has gone yard twice in the last three games, but the homers have supplied him with his only RBI in the last 17 contests. On the season, he's produced a .224/.302/.483 slash line with seven home runs, one steal, 14 RBI and 14 runs in 116 plate appearances.

McCutchen (ankle) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's lineup due to a left ankle sprain. Carlos Santana will start at designated hitter while Connor Joe gets the nod at first base. McCutchen is not available off the bench, per Justice delos Santos of MLB.com, as he is still receiving treatment.

Vogelbach will sit against lefty Austin Gomber and the Rockies on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach has yet to start against a southpaw this season, and given his career .133/.252/.222 slash line against same-sided pitching, that's unlikely to change anytime soon. Pete Alonso will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday while Mark Canha starts at first base.