MLB Player News

Winker was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Only one of the Reds' starters (Luis Castillo) during the team's recently completed four-game series with the Nationals was able to cover more than 4.1 innings, so Lisalverto Bonilla was recalled from Triple-A to give an overworked bullpen an extra arm. Winker, who had started just one of seven games since being recalled from Louisville, was a luxury the Reds could no longer afford to keep on the active roster, so he'll clear a spot for Bonilla and return to the minors to pick up everyday at-bats. Winker should rank as one of the top candidates for a promotion when the Reds next require an additional bench bat or a spare outfielder.

Jimenez has gone 4-for-10 with a double, five RBI, four walks and two strikeouts at High-A Winston Salem over his first three games since being acquired by the White Sox.

The White Sox have a loaded farm system after parting with several veterans since last winter. The latest prize is Jimenez, who is widely regarded as a top prospect regardless of who's doing the evaluation. He's at least two years away from being an outfield regular in the major leagues.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBI during Monday's win over Philadelphia.

Stanton is now up to seven homers in July and 28 for the season. Alongside the bombs, he sports a .275/.363/.580 slash line with 62 RBI and 63 runs, and the outfielder projects to remain an elite fantasy asset moving forward. Barring injury, he has an excellent shot at leading the National League -- and potentially all of baseball -- in home runs.

Vargas was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Monday, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins will send Vargas to the minor leagues in order to open up a 25-man roster spot for Tuesday's scheduled starter, Bartolo Colon. Vargas currently holds a .244 average with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 176 at-bats this season. He'll likely rejoin the big-league club in the not-so-distant future.

Martinez was removed from Monday's game against the Royals with lower back tightness.

The Tigers are calling Martinez's removal "precautionary," so it appears that the star right fielder isn't dealing with anything serious. He'll be listed as day-to-day, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him back in the starting lineup Tuesday.

Martinez was removed from Monday's game against the Royals in the sixth inning, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

The reason for Martinez's early removal is not yet known, as the outfielder did not appear to suffer any sort of injury before being replaced by Alex Presley. Martinez has been the subject of trade rumors lately, so it's possible that the 29-year-old is on the move, but no word has come down on that front.

Belt (wrist) is available as a defensive replacement Monday against the Indians, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt's wrist is reportedly feeling much better, and although he isn't willing to test it with the bat Monday evening, he does expect to receive clearance Tuesday. He's day-to-day for now, but a Tuesday return seems to be fairly reasonable at this point.

Belt (wrist) is not in the lineup Monday against the Indians, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

This marks the second consecutive game the Giants' first baseman will miss due to a sprained wrist. No word on Belt's progress has come forth, but in the meantime, Jae-Gyun Hwang seems to be in line to pick up more starts at first base, as he will Monday evening.

Choi is out of the lineup Monday against the Twins, Pete Caldera of The Record reports.

Unless the Yankees add a first baseman via trade prior to the deadline, it looks like Choi and Garrett Cooper will work in a platoon at the position. As the left-handed hitter of the two, Choi stands to see the larger portion of the at-bats, but with the Yankees facing a fourth lefty starter in five games, the 26-year-old will hit the bench once again.

Goins is out of the lineup Monday against the Red Sox.

Since Devon Travis (knee) hit the disabled list, Goins has settled into the strong side of a platoon at second base with Darwin Barney. It will be Goins' turn to sit out Monday with the Red Sox starting a lefty in Eduardo Rodriguez.