MLB Player News

Winker went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout in Thursday's 13-0 loss to Cleveland.

Winker was rung up on a bad called third strike in the sixth inning and it looked like he might have been ejected by the home-plate umpire, but only manager David Bell was tossed from the game. By sticking around, Winker was able to notch his first multi-hit game of the season; he accounted for two of the team's three total hits. We'll see if this showing earns Winker his first start of the season against a lefty, either Friday against Eric Lauer or Saturday against Brett Anderson.

Blackmon went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Thursday against the Giants.

Blackmon took Caleb Baragar deep in the seventh inning for his second home run of the season. He's swung the bat well to open the campaign, and extended his hitting streak to 10 games with this performance. Overall, Blackmon has 12 RBI and nine runs scored to go along with a .375/.392/.542 line across 51 plate appearances to begin the season.

Buxton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Pirates.

Buxton only had one hit in the contest, but made it count by slugging his first home run of the season in the fourth inning. After a slow start due to a foot injury and poor performance, Buxton has slowly showed signs of life at the plate and now has at least one hit in three consecutive contests. Despite that, he has an ugly .174/.200/.348 line across his first 25 plate appearances.

Alvarez (undisclosed) took batting practice and did some running Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is slowly ramping up after missing all of summer camp for undisclosed reasons. The 23-year-old slugger was originally hoping to return next week, though it's unclear if that's still the plan after manager Dusty Baker said "the cavalry's a ways off." Kyle Tucker should continue to see time at DH and in the outfield in Alvarez's absence.

Brantley (quadriceps) is hitting cleanup as Houston's designated hitter Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Brantley has been cleared to DH after missing the past two games with a quadriceps injury. The veteran outfielder is 14-for-32 with a home run, eight runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base through nine games this season.

Ohtani (forearm) is hitting fourth as the Angels' designated hitter Thursday against the Mariners.

As expected, Ohtani has been cleared to rejoin the lineup as DH after missing a handful of games with a strained forearm. While the issue will keep him from pitching in 2020, Ohtani -- who is 4-for-27 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI this season -- is still expected to serve as the team's primary designated hitter.

Dickerson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

He'll retreat to the bench with southpaw Kyle Freeland on the mound for the Rockies. The righty-hitting Hunter Pence will replace the lefty-hitting Dickerson in the Giants outfield.

Belt is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Belt will take a seat with the Giants facing a left-handed starting pitcher (Kyle Freeland) in a day game after a night game. Belt was able to take advantage while starting in the first three games of the series at Coors Field, going 4-for-12 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBI.

Vogelbach is hitting cleanup as Seattle's designated hitter Thursday against the Angels.

Vogelbach is just 2-for-20 this season, though he has more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six). The 27-year-old is Seattle's top left-handed option at DH following Jose Marmolejos' demotion.

Lewis is not starting Thursday against the Angels.

Lewis will head to the bench for the first time all season; through 13 games, the outfielder is 20-for-52 (.385) with three home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base. Mallex Smith is starting in center field Thursday, with Dylan Moore manning right.