MLB Player News

Brantley is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The fact that the Astros are opposing a lefty pitcher (Marco Gonzales) in addition to wrapping up their series with a day game are likely manager AJ Hinch's main motivations for withholding Brantley from the starting nine. The veteran will head to the bench for the first time since June 9 while Tony Kemp checks in for him in left field.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

Carpenter is on the bench for the fourth straight contest despite no other indications that he's dealing with an injury. The veteran infielder is batting .208/.303/.364 with two home runs in June. Yairo Munoz is starting at third base Sunday for the Cardinals.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Though the Rays are opposing a right-hander (Jesse Chavez) in the series finale, the lefty-hitting Choi will retreat to the bench while he remains mired in a 5-for-39 slump at the plate over the past 12 games. Yandy Diaz will shift across the diamond to replace Choi at first base.

Turner is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Turner started the first three games of the series and heads to the bench after going 4-for-12 with a home run and five runs scored. Edwin Rios will start at the hot corner and bat sixth in his place.

Winker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Winker will once again head to the bench against a left-hander with Jon Lester on the mound for the Cubs. Phillip Ervin will start in left field and bat sixth in his absence.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Cabrera will hand designated-hitter duties over to Nick Castellanos in the series finale after starting each of the past 10 games and going 11-for-32 (.344 average) at the plate. The 11-time All-Star failed to record an extra-base hit during that span, however, dropping his career-worst ISO to .087 on the season.

Alvarez (knee) will serve as the Astros' designated hitter and bat fourth Sunday against the Mariners, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez's mobility in the field and on the basepaths may be compromised while he manages a sore left knee, but his ability to take batting practice Saturday without incident will allow him to rejoin the lineup in a non-defensive role, though he serves as the DH more than an outfielder even when healthy. The rookie, who had missed the previous two games with the injury, could be limited to DH duty for the next several days, but fantasy managers are likely just relieved he avoided a trip to the injured list.

Alvarez (knee) took pregame batting practice Saturday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Manager AJ Hinch was optimistic about the rookie's prognosis, suggesting Alvarez could be available as a pinch hitter Saturday, but Alvarez did not appear in Houston's 6-5 win over Seattle. "He's better and we're happy with where he's at," Hinch said. "I'm not going to play him until I'm convinced he can move in the batter's box normally and be able to complete a game. We'll evaluate where he's at." If Alvarez can't play in Sunday's series finale against the Mariners, he may not get into a game until Friday. The Astros are on the road in a National League park Tuesday and Wednesday against Colorado, which would force the defensively challenged Alvarez to play the field.

Reyes went 2-for-4 with two solo home runs and a walk in Saturday's 12-2 win over the Cardinals.

His first homer of the game chased Cardinals starter Dakota Hudson, capping a seven-run second inning. Reyes then took reliever Daniel Ponce de Leon deep in the seventh inning. Reyes is up to 24 homers, 41 RBI and 35 runs scored in 78 games. It's the right fielder's second two-homer game in his last three contests.

Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a walk and a solo home run in Saturday's extra-inning loss to the Astros.

His seventh-inning shot off Ryan Pressly ultimately sent the game to extras, although the M's would still fall in the 10th inning. Vogelbach is now slashing .248/.383/.528 with 20 homers and 48 RBI in 78 games.