MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday's game that Martinez (back) could be available off the bench against the Pirates but it will depend on how he's feeling after pregame activities, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez is sitting out a second consecutive game while dealing with back tightness. If the veteran designated hitter isn't able to get into the lineup off the bench against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, there's a very good chance he is back in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Martinez (back) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Martinez will take a seat for a second straight day while he deals with back tightness. The hope was that the veteran designated hitter would require only one day off due to the injury, but the Dodgers will give him an extra day to recover. David Peralta will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday while Martinez sits again.

Vogelbach is on the bench versus lefty MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals on Wednesday.

The designated hitter has gone 5-for-13 with a double and two RBI during a four-game hitting streak. Tommy Pham fills in for Vogelbach as the DH for Wednesday's contest.

MuCutchen went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Dodgers.

His fourth-inning blast off Noah Syndergaard gave the Pirates a 7-2 lead, but the win slipped through the bullpen's grasp. McCutchen is proving that you can go home again after all -- through his first 21 games in his return to Pittsburgh, the veteran outfielder is slashing .270/.371/.527 with five homers, three steals, 12 runs and 12 RBI.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.

He led off the game with a solo shot, the 40th leadoff homer of his career. Blackmon doesn't have much power or speed left in his profile -- he's got two home runs and zero steals in 23 games to begin the season -- but he's still effective at the top of the lineup, slashing .274/.390/.417 through 100 plate appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Martinez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh after experiencing back tightness following Sunday's 7-3 win over the Cubs, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Roberts said he's hopeful Martinez returns to the lineup Wednesday, but given the 35-year-old has a prior history of back trouble, one day off may not be enough for the issue to fully go away. With Martinez out of the lineup for the first time all season Tuesday, rookie Michael Busch is serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Pirates.

Rookie Michael Busch will serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter in his MLB debut Tuesday while Martinez heads to the bench after starting each of the team's first 23 games of the season. The veteran slugger is effectively getting two full days to rest up, as the Dodgers had off Monday.

Canha is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Nationals.

Canha is riding a seven-game hitting streak, but he'll take a seat Tuesday versus the Nats and right-hander Josiah Gray. Jeff McNeil is in left field and Luis Guillorme will get a start at second base.

Ozuna is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

There is growing speculation that Ozuna might fully lose his spot on Atlanta's active roster when Michael Harris (back) and Travis d'Arnaud (concussion) return from their respective IL stints. Ozuna, 32, has batted just .073/.190/.200 through 63 plate appearances this season.

Ozuna might be one of the players dropped from the 26-man roster when Michael Harris (back) and Travis d'Arnaud (concussion) return from the injured list, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Ozuna is slashing a pitiful .073/.190/.200 through 63 plate appearances to begin the season and has started only two of the last five games, losing playing time to the likes of Kevin Pillar and Eddie Rosario. D'Arnaud's return especially could leave Ozuna without a role on the roster, as he could take over as the DH against left-handed pitching. The 32-year-old is signed through 2024 at $16 million a season with a club option for 2025, but Atlanta might be willing to eat most of that contract, rather than carry an unproductive bat that offers little defensive value.