MLB Player News

Martinez is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Martinez had started in each of Boston's first eight games this season, but he'll take a seat after going 7-for-32 with three extra-base hits, four runs and three RBI to begin the season. Kevin Pillar will serve as the designated hitter and bat second Saturday.

Brantley is not in the lineup Saturday against the Angels, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley sits for the first time this season. Kyle Tucker moves out to left field in his absence, with Abraham Toro serving as the designated hitter.

Ohtani is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Astros, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The Angels appear set to continue their plan of resting Ohtani both before and after his scheduled starts. They deviated from that plan Monday, as Ohtani served as the designated hitter that day despite starting the day before, though that exception was likely due to the fact that his start was very abbreviated as he faced just six batters without recording a single out. Albert Pujols will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with Matt Thaiss starting at first base.

Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-7 loss against the Padres.

Blackmon notched his first long ball of the season with a one-out blast off Garrett Richards in the first inning, and he has hit safely in each of Colorado's four games, notching at least two hits in his last three contests.

Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored during Friday's victory over the A's.

Another night, another set of hits for the 25-year-old, who singled and scored in the fourth inning, then added an RBI single in the fifth. Lewis has hit safely in all eight games this season, including six straight multi-hit games.

Ruf went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a run scored and a walk in Friday's 9-2 win over the Rangers.

Ruf got the Giants on the board with an RBI single in the second inning. He later capped off a three-run seventh inning with a two-RBI double to knock in Evan Longoria and Donovan Solano. Ruf has found most of his at-bats versus southpaws, and he's done handsomely with a .385/.467/.462 triple slash, five RBI and two runs scored in 15 plate appearances. With Brandon Belt back from an Achilles injury, it may be harder for Ruf to find consistent playing time at first base.

Dickerson will not start Friday's game against the Rangers, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Giants will load up on righties against southpaw Mike Minor. Hunter Pence moves out to left field Friday, with Darin Ruf serving as the designated hitter.

Belt is not in the lineup against lefty Mike Minor and the Rangers on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

It's unclear whether Belt's absence Friday is due to the fact that the Giants are facing a southpaw or the fact that he only just returned from an Achilles injury Thursday. Whatever the reason, Wilmer Flores will slide over to first base in his absence.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

Vogelbach served as the designated hitter for the first two games of the season and went 0-for-7 with a walk, but he's started only one of the past five games. Tim Lopes will bat second as the designated hitter Friday.

Choi (shoulder) is starting at first base and batting leadoff Friday against the Orioles, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 29-year-old was out of the lineup the past two days with right shoulder soreness, though he did collect an RBI single off the bench Thursday. Choi is 3-for-16 with a home run, a double, three runs scored and four RBI in six games this season.