MLB Player News

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas has yet to find a rhythm at the plate this season. Vargas is hitting just .186 with one home run and three RBI in 43 at-bats this season. Manager Paul Molitor thinks Vargas is pressing too much at the plate, according to MLB.com

"He's really hungry to get consistent, but if I have any fears for him it's that he hits too much," Molitor said. "Whenever we hit extra, he's always in the cage. He's trying to always repeat swings to take it into the game. He's a strong enough man to handle, but when you talk about over the course of the year, it's going to add up for him. So we might have to back him off."

Cubs manager Joe Maddon wants to keep his players fresh this year. One of his most important players, Jorge Soler, has been taking advantage of days off and rains out to keep extra stress off his legs, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Soler played just 86 games in 2014 while battling hamstring injuries in both legs.

"With the season in progress, I definitely want to be able to rest these guys at an opportune moment," Maddon said. "But for right now, based on the schedules, the frequent off-days at this moment, I think he's OK.

"I do listen. If the trainers suggest he might need a day (off), I definitely would do it."

Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is out of the starting lineup Wednesday against the Giants, putting Justin Turner at first and batting third, the team announced.

Gonzalez is getting his first day off of the season after starting the first 13 games in a row. He is pounding the ball so far this season, hitting .442 with five home runs and 14 RBI.

Turner is hitting .353 in 17 at-bats this season and make his 24th career appearance at first Wednesday. The Dodgers are currently the favorites (-120) against San Francisco.

Blue Jays infielder Ryan Goins totaled three RBI during a 13-6 win Tuesday vs. Baltimore. He has a two-run single in the bottom of the second and an RBI single in the bottom of the third.

Goins, who is a backup infielder, is batting .286 (4 for 14) with three RBI, one walk, one run and five strikeouts in five games.

Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to five games during Tuesday's 7-6 defeat to San Diego.

Blackmon gave Colorado a 4-2 lead with a two-run double in the fifth inning for his only hit of the night. He finished 1 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI. He has gone 6 for 19 with a double, two triples, two walks and three RBI during his hitting streak. He is hitting .283/.371/.491 on the year.

Marlins right fielder Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo home run in Tuesday's 7-3 loss to Philadelphia. 

Stanton went 2 for 4, increasing his average to .260. He now has three home runs and 12 RBI. 

Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against Philadelphia because of lower back tightness, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Ichiro Suzuki will take Yelich's place in left field, while Marcell Ozuna will bat fifth in the order.

Yelich, who signed a seven-year, $49.57 million contract extension before the start of the season, has struggled to make his presence felt at the plate. He is batting .200 (9 for 45) with one double, four RBI, a stolen base, four walks and 13 strikeouts in 11 games.

Miami is favored (-126) in Philadelphia, per VegasInsider.com.

Rockies left fielder Corey Dickerson is out of the team's starting lineup for Tuesday's game. However the reason for Dickerson's absence is rest, not the foot that has been giving him trouble. 

Dickerson has been battling plantar fasciitis since spring training and was doubtful for the game. He told MLB.com he thinks he can play.  

The Denver Post reported that Dickerson believes he'll be able to play within the next few days and won't need a trip to the disabled list.

Charlie Blackmon moves from center to left field to replace Dickerson, and Drew Stubbs gets the start in center, batting seventh. 

Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas and center fielder Shane Robinson are back in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Royals, the team announced.

Vargas has started 11 of the Twins' 13 games this season at DH and is hitting .200 with one home run and three RBI in 40 at-bats. Robinson has made five starts in center and is hitting .368 with three RBI in 19 at-bats.

The Twins are currently the underdogs (+142) against Kansas City.

Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is batting leadoff in Tuesday's matchup against the Orioles, while second baseman Devon Travis is out of the lineup.

Reyes was diagnosed with a small rib fracture last week after feeling a jolt of pain during an at-bat Thursday. He was ruled out through the weekend but is able to return to action Tuesday; however, he'll be limited to batting from the right side against righty Bud Norris.

Travis left Sunday's game after getting hit with a pitch. He escaped serious injury after the team announced he was not dealing with a rib fracture, but he'll take a seat Tuesday. He said that the rib is bruised and sore, but he's not dealing with a pulled muscle or anything more serious, the Toronto Star reports. Ryan Goins will draw the start at second base.

The Blue Jays are favorites (-121) against the Orioles Tuesday.