MLB Player News

Martinez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Pirates, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The Mets are concluding their four-game series with the Pirates with a Monday contest that begins at 12:35 p.m. ET, so Martinez is on the bench in what looks to be little more than a veteran's maintenance day. Francisco Alvarez will get a day off behind the dish and will occupy Martinez's usual spot in the lineup at designated hitter.

Garver went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run during Sunday's 5-4 loss to Toronto in 10 innings.

Garver clubbed his fourth home run in his last nine starts, tagging Jose Berrios for a three-run shot in the fifth inning. Though he's provided a steady flow of homers, Sunday's outing marked Garver's first multi-hit performance in 14 games. Since the start of June, Garver is batting 19-for-94 (.202) with 22 RBI.

Grossman went 1-for-1 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional RBI in Sunday's 13-2 win over the Rays.

Grossman got into a game for the first time in July with an appearance off the bench in the blowout win. He delivered the Rangers' last two runs with a solo shot in the seventh inning and a bases-loaded walk in the eighth. While Grossman is 9-for-30 (.300) over his last 10 games, it's a span dating back to June 11. He's often been limited to a short-side platoon role despite being a switch hitter, and his extended absence from the lineup can be explained by the Rangers facing a stretch of right-handed starting pitchers over the last six games. The outfielder is slashing just .216/.331/.306 over 160 plate appearances between the Rangers and the White Sox this year. The Rangers are expected to face three more righties during their series against the Angels from Monday to Wednesday, so expect more time on the bench for Grossman.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed Sunday that Schwarber (groin) will be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's series opener versus the Dodgers, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

After running on the field at approximately 90 percent intensity Saturday, Schwarber cleared the final hurdle in his recovery from a left groin strain by sprinting at full speed during a pregame workout Sunday. The Phillies apparently feel comfortable enough with Schwarber's health to let him return from the IL without heading out on a rehab assignment beforehand. Schwarber has made just three of his 78 starts in left field this season, and the Phillies will most likely deploy him strictly as a designated hitter during the upcoming week to lessen the possibility of a setback with the groin heading into the All-Star break. The 31-year-old's upcoming return will presumably result in fewer opportunities for David Dahl.

The Reds recalled Soto from Triple-A Louisville on Sunday.

Soto will give the Reds an extra left-handed-hitting option off the bench after Nick Martini (thumb) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday. Though Martini will be out through the All-Star break, Soto could be a candidate to return to Louisville during the upcoming week if Jake Fraley (personal) returns from the family medical emergency list.

The Reds placed Martini on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left thumb injury.

Martini had started in left field in each of the past three games while going 3-for-8 with a home run, a triple, two walks, two runs and two RBI over that stretch, but the thumb injury will prevent him from building on that momentum. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer, Martini underwent an MRI and was diagnosed with a sprain, which he suffered when he jammed his left thumb while sliding into second base in Saturday's 5-3 loss. Infielder Livan Soto was recalled from Triple-A Louisville in a corresponding move.

Alvarez (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Per Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle, Astros manager Joe Espada said that Alvarez's right knee is still "pretty sore" after the 26-year-old was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning of Saturday's 9-3 loss. Alvarez was ultimately removed from Saturday's contest in the eighth inning, and he'll now miss out on a start for the first time since June 19 while he receives treatment for the knee. Espada seemed to downplay the injury and suggested that Alvarez could hit in the batting cage Sunday, though the Astros could still look to stay away from Alvarez in the series finale even if a potential pinch-hitting situation emerges. After Sunday's game, the Astros are off Monday before kicking off a three-game series with the Marlins on Tuesday.

De La Cruz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

De La Cruz started the previous 31 games but will take a breather Sunday after he posted a .222/.258/.421 slash line during that span. Nick Gordon will receive a start in left field while batting seventh in the series finale versus Chicago.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

The lefty-hitting Carpenter finds himself on the bench for the fifth game in a row while the Cardinals have opposed four consecutive left-handed starting pitchers. With Carpenter riding the pine, Willson Contreras will get a day off from catching and will serve as St. Louis' designated hitter while Pedro Pages settles in behind the dish.

Malloy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Malloy started the first two games of the series in Cincinnati but will sit Sunday after going 1-for-6 with two walks and a strikeout between the last two contests. Riley Greene will receive a turn at designated hitter while Matt Vierling starts in left field.