MLB Player News

Martinez exited Sunday's game against the Astros early with back spasms, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Upon leaving the game, Martinez was shown pointing to his back while talking to the team trainer. It was later revealed that he was suffering from back spasms, although manager Alex Cora stated he doesn't believe it's a big issue, and Martinez is expected to play Tuesday. He was lifted and replaced by Sam Travis, who hit a two-RBI single in the ninth inning.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a grand slam Sunday against the Pirates.

Ozuna came to the plate with the bases full in the first inning and deposited a hanging offspeed pitch into the left field seats. It was his fifth home run of the season and second in as many games. He has now recorded a hit in seven of his past eight games and has gone 11-for-28 in that span.

Miller will start at first base and bat sixth Sunday against the Mariners, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

After Denard Span was dealt to Seattle on May 25, Miller received the first crack at replacing him as the Rays' leadoff man against right-handed pitching. He lasted just four games in that role, however, going 4-for-17 at the dish during those contests before manager Kevin Cash turned to the speedy Mallex Smith as the club's table setter. Miller's fantasy prospects will likely take a hit if he fails to escape the bottom half of the Tampa Bay lineup, but his .236/.303/.399 season line had already kept his ownership limited anyway.

Goins will start at second base and bat ninth Sunday against the Athletics, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

The Royals have been rotating the versatile Whit Merrifield at a number of different spots lately, paving the way for Goins to pick up his fourth consecutive start at second base Sunday. Goins has earned the extra opportunities by going 4-for-10 with a pair of runs and RBI over the past three games, but his career .230/.276/.336 batting line suggests there's limited fantasy upside to be mined here.

Cespedes (hip) isn't expected to require a minor-league rehab assignment before being activated from the disabled list, Matt Ehalt of The Bergen Record reports.

Cespedes remains without a firm timeline for his return, but manager Mickey Callaway did go on record Sunday stating that the organization does not believe that Cespedes will need any minor-league at-bats prior his his activation. He's scheduled to take live at-bats against a Mets pitcher Tuesday, at which point the team should provide an update on his recovery timeline.

Cabrera is the designated hitter and batting third for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays.

After starting at first base in each of his first two games back from the disabled list, Cabrera will slide over to DH in an effort to lessen the stress on his hamstring. Expect this to be a fairly standard routine for the 35-year-old slugger moving forward as the Tigers aim to keep him healthy and in the lineup.

Harper is not in the lineup Sunday against the Braves.

Harper will sit for the first time since May 18 in what appears to be a routine day of rest following 15 consecutive starts, a stretch in which he slashed just .233/.309/.517 with five homers and 25 strikeouts. Brian Goodwin draws the right field assignment in Harper's absence.

Pederson went 4-for-5 with a double, two solo home runs and four total runs scored in Saturday's 12-4 win over the Rockies.

The 26-year-old didn't waste his Coors Field opportunity, snapping his 37-game homerless drought with authority as he took German Marquez deep in the fourth and sixth innings. Pederson added 82 points to his OPS with the performance, and he's now slashing a respectable .265/.346/.449 on the season, albeit with only three home runs in 54 games.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run homer in Saturday's win over the Orioles.

Stanton took Kevin Gausman deep in the third inning to put the Yankees up 4-1, his 12th homer of the season and his first in 11 games. He's yet to provide fantasy owners with a prolonged hot streak, but hopefully Saturday's two-hit effort -- which came in the midst of a 2-for-23 slump -- will kick-start the slugger. Stanton is now hitting .248/.324/.476 through 54 games this season.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with two RBI in Saturday's 5-4 win over Houston.

Martinez delivered a pair of RBI-singles off Astros starter Justin Verlander, who allowed multiple runs for just the third time this season. Martinez has put together a monster first two months, giving him a realistic shot at the Triple Crown. He's tied for the MLB lead in homers (19), leads in RBI (50) and is 13th in average (.321).