MLB Player News

Vogelbach isn't starting Friday against Atlanta.

Atlanta will begin the game with the left-handed Max Fried on the bump, so the left-handed bat of Vogelbach will sit out Friday's contest. Mark Canha will instead serve as the Mets' DH, and Tommy Pham will start in left field while batting seventh.

Martinez (back) isn't expected to return to the lineup Friday versus the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Martinez is in line to miss a fourth consecutive game while he continues to experience discomfort on the left side of his lower back. It's possible he will undergo an MRI, at which point the team would have a better idea as to when he might be ready to play again. Will Smith (concussion) is expected to come off the 7-day injured list to serve as the club's designated hitter Friday.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.

McCutchen is already halfway to his total of eight stolen bases from last season, when he needed 134 games to get there. The veteran outfielder has hit safely in four straight games, going 4-for-16 with a home run and four RBI in that span. McCutchen has gotten off to a nice start in his return to Pittsburgh. He's now slashing .272/.371/.506 with five homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored through 97 plate appearances.

Solak was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Friday.

Solak was up only for a few days and didn't receive a plate appearance. He'll head back to Gwinnett and wait for another call.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Martinez (back) hasn't been able to swing a bat in the last few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez is out of the lineup for the third straight game Thursday at Pittsburgh, and Roberts told reporters that an MRI might be in the works once the team returns to Los Angeles. The veteran designated hitter began feeling tightness on the left side of his lower back in Sunday's series finale against the Cubs. If he doesn't show improvement by Friday, an IL stint may be necessary. Michael Busch could then remain with the club through Max Muncy's return from paternity leave.

Soler is not in the Marlins' lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Soler will take a seat after going 4-for-22 with a double, four walks and three runs in his past six contests. Garrett Cooper will be the Marlins' designated hitter with Yuli Gurriel covering first base.

Martinez (back) remains out of the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It's the third straight start he's missed due to back tightness. Martinez is considered day-to-day and will look to get back in action Friday when the Dodgers return home to host the Cardinals. David Peralta is serving as the designated hitter Thursday, with Trayce Thompson in left field.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) has gone 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in three games since he was activated from Triple-A Louisville's 7-day injured list Sunday.

Though his back injury first cropped up in February, Encarnacion-Strand turned heads in the Cactus League while playing at less-than-optimal health before the Reds optioned him to minor-league camp in mid-March. Encarnacion-Strand's regular-season debut was delayed mainly for precautionary reasons while he dealt with a slight herniation in his back, but the 23-year-old should play on a near-everyday basis at Triple-A now that he's been activated. He won't strictly be limited to the designated-hitter role, either, as he's already made two of his three starts at first base.

Pederson isn't starting Wednesday against St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With the left-handed Steven Matz starting on the mound for the Cardinals, Pederson will begin Wednesday's contest in the dugout. Michael Conforto will instead serve as San Francisco's DH, opening up a spot for Austin Slater to start in center field and bat leadoff.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With a left-hander (Drew Smyly) on the mound, the lefty-hitting Carpenter will give way to his platoon mate at designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. Carpenter started each of the previous three games and accrued a home run, four doubles and six RBI over that stretch.