MLB Player News

Bryant (back) is likely to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Bryant hasn't played since April 13 due to a lower-back strain, but he took a major step forward in his recovery by taking batting practice Friday and Saturday. According to the report, Bryant displayed even more power in Saturday's live BP session than Friday's, leaving the Rockies optimistic that he'll soon be ready to rejoin the big club. Bryant will report to Albuquerque on Tuesday, and if all goes well in his rehab assignment, manager Bud Black left the door open for the four-time All-Star to return to the big club in advance of Friday's series opener in San Francisco.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Saturday against the Cubs.

McCutchen entered the game with just four hits across his last 43 at-bats while striking out at a 27.5 percent clip. He came through with a clutch home run to lead off the sixth frame of Saturday's contest, his fourth time leaving the yard on the season. McCutchen has a .288 wOBA and 84 wRC+ across 124 total plate appearances on the campaign, though he continues to serve as Pittsburgh's primary designated hitter.

Ohtani was removed from Saturday's game versus the Padres due to back tightness, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his level of concern regarding the injury is "minimal," but the skipper is leaning toward holding Ohtani out of Sunday's lineup as a precaution. Roberts will wait to see how Ohtani feels Sunday morning before making a final determination. Before exiting Saturday's contest, Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a loss to Atlanta.

Three Atlanta pitchers combined to no-hit New York over 8.2 innings before Martinez slugged a solo shot off Raisel Iglesias to end the bid at history. The long ball was Martinez's first as a Met in his 48th plate appearance. Though his power didn't emerge until Saturday, Martinez has put up a steady .267/.313/.378 slash line through 14 games.

Schwarber (back) is hoping to return to the Philadelphia lineup Monday or Tuesday versus the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Schwarber exited Friday's 8-2 win over the Marlins and missed Saturday's 8-3 win with a sore back. He'll remain on the bench for Sunday's series finale, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. The Phillies are planning to give Bryce Harper at day at designated hitter Sunday.

Calhoun is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals.

Calhoun was in the lineup against a lefty Wednesday, but he'll take a seat in this one against southpaw Cole Ragans. Look for Calhoun to play regularly as the designated hitter when the Angels face a right-handed pitcher.

St. Louis activated Carpenter (oblique) from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Jose Fermin had been leading off against lefties, but with the Cardinals set to face three right-handed starters in a row, Fermin was sent to Triple-A Memphis, and the lefty-hitting Carpenter was added to the active roster. The 38-year-old designated hitter went 3-for-10 with a run scored in three games before getting injured April 1.

Stanton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Rays, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

Stanton went 2-for-4 in the series opener Friday. Trent Grisham will start in center field while Aaron Judge shifts to DH against Rays right-hander Zack Littell.

Senzel is out of Saturday's lineup against the Red Sox.

He will sit for a second day in a row with the Nationals facing a right-handed starting pitcher, and on both occasions Victor Robles has picked up the start in the outfield with Jesse Winker sliding to designated hitter. Senzel is hitting .214 with a 42.4 percent strikeout rate in 28 at-bats this month.

Schwarber (back) will sit for Saturday's game against the Marlins, as expected.

He left Friday's game in the ninth inning with a sore back and told reporters he'd probably take Saturday off, which is indeed the case. Cristian Pache draws the start in left field with Whit Merrifield starting at third base and Alec Bohm getting the nod at designated hitter. Schwarber's back was still a bit tight Saturday, per manager Rob Thompson, and they're taking it day by day, Alex Coffey of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.