MLB Player News
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: Leaves with side tightness
Winker was lifted from the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals ahead of the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker drew a walk in the first inning and hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the third, but it's unclear if he picked up the injury on any of his swings or while he was playing defense in left field. Regardless, Winker will be on the bench for the rest of the matinee, and his availability for the nightcap would seem to be in doubt. Jeff McNeil shifted from second base to left field in the bottom of the fourth upon Winker's removal from the game.
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Pavin Smith DH | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Taking seat against lefty
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Platoon mate Randal Grichuk will replace Smith as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter while the Phillies send southpaw Ranger Suarez to the bump. Smith has logged just eight plate appearances against lefties all season.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Resting up Sunday
McCutchen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
McCutchen will receive a breather after serving as Pittsburgh's designated hitter for 12 straight games, slashing .298/.377/.511 during that stretch. The Pirates will give Joey Bart a day off from catching and deploy him as the DH in place of McCutchen.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Improving, sitting again Sunday
Alvarez (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, though manager Joe Espada said the slugger is feeling better and isn't expected to require medical imaging, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Alvarez was scratched from Saturday's starting nine due to inflammation in his right hand, and he'll sit for a second consecutive game in Chicago. The 27-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, though the fact medical imaging hasn't been completely ruled out could indicate Alvarez will miss another game or two after Sunday.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Bowing out of lineup Sunday
Rice is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
After starting each of the last four games while going 4-for-17 with two solo home runs, a double and two additional runs, Rice looks to be getting a routine breather for the series finale versus Tampa Bay. Rice's absence from the lineup will open up a spot in the starting nine for Trent Grisham, who will cover center field while Cody Bellinger slides over to right field and Aaron Judge serves as the Yankees' designated hitter.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Thriving since return to field
Steer went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 11-6 loss to Washington.
He struggled at the beginning of the season while able to serve only as a designated hitter due to a shoulder issue, but since Steer has been cleared for defensive duties, his bat has come alive. Prior to April 20, Steer had a .390 OPS with three RBI over 15 games. Since then, he has an .851 OPS with eight RBI over 12 games.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Goes deep in three-hit effort
Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two additional runs and a walk in a 10-3 win against Atlanta on Saturday.
Ohtani broke a 1-1 tie with a 415-foot solo homer to center field in the third inning. He reached base three other times in the rout and pushed his league-leading runs-scored total to 35. Ohtani's role as Los Angeles' leadoff hitter has been a factor in his accumulation of just 11 RBI so far this season, but the two-way star has otherwise been excellent with a .293/.396/.569 slash line while maintaining a 40-40 pace with eight homers and nine stolen bases through 31 games.
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Rafael Devers DH | SF
Red Sox's Rafael Devers: Drives in two runs Saturday
Devers went 3-for-5 with two RBI in Saturday's 4-3 loss to Minnesota.
Devers got the Red Sox on the board in the third inning with an RBI single to center field, and he tacked on another run in the seventh following a 72-minute rain delay. Devers' strikeout issues at the start the season are a distant memory, as the 28-year-old has driven in at least one run in nine of his past 11 games. Over that span, Devers has gone 15-for-44 (.341) with nine runs scored, three home runs and 11 RBI.
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Josh Bell DH | WAS
Nationals' Josh Bell: Dealing with groin issue
Bell isn't starting Saturday against the Reds due to a groin issue, but he could be available to pinch hit, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
It doesn't sound like the Nationals are very concerned about Bell's injury, as Nusbaum notes that the team is "being careful" due to wet weather conditions. The veteran slugger's potential availability to pinch hit also suggests he isn't dealing with a serious issue. With Bell out of his customary DH role Saturday, James Wood is getting a day out of the field as the designated hitter while Alex Call is getting a start in left field.