MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk in Sunday's win over the Rangers.

Alvarez was responsible for all of Houston's offense Sunday, belting a three-run shot in the third inning of the 3-1 victory. After a surprisingly poor start to the season -- he went 2-for-20 through the first five games -- the lefty slugger has gone 8-for-19 (.421) with three long balls over his last five contests. Alvarez owns an .854 OPS with six RBI and six runs scored on the campaign.

Grichuk started in right field and went 0-for-3 in Sunday's 5-2 loss to Atlanta.

Grichuk was activated off the injured list Friday and made his season debut Saturday as the designated hitter. Sunday was his first day in the field, and he's expected to be in the lineup whenever the Diamondbacks face a left-hander. He was eventually pinch hit for by lefty-hitting Jake McCarthy against a right-handed reliever in the ninth inning.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a grand slam during Sunday's 8-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Stanton launched his second homer in as many days, following up Saturday's solo home run with a monstrous grand slam. He now trails Manny Machado for the most grand slams by an active player by one with 11. After submitting batting averages of .211 and .191 the past two seasons, Stanton's fantasy value will likely be tied to his home run total once again this season after going 7-for-32 (.219) at the plate through eight games.

Rookier was removed from Sunday's game against the Tigers due to abdominal soreness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

The 29-year-old struck out in both at-bats Sunday before being replaced in right field by Lawrence Butler. Rooker will have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery and should be considered day-to-day heading into Tuesday's series opener at Texas.

Montero is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

Montero will move to the bench for the series finale after going 2-for-8 between Friday's 10-7 win and Saturday's 8-6 loss. After sitting out Saturday while battling back tightness, Kris Bryant will make his return to the lineup Sunday in Montero's usual spot at designated hitter.

Martini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

He'll bow out of the starting nine while the Mets bring left-hander Sean Manaea to the bump. With Martini getting the afternoon off, Jonathan India will get a day out of the field and serve as Cincinnati's designated hitter.

Stewart is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Stewart is on the bench for the second day in a row while Cincinnati brings southpaw Andrew Abbott to the hill for the series finale. With manager Carlos Mendoza noting earlier Sunday that J.D. Martinez (general body soreness) isn't in line to make his Mets debut until at least Friday, Stewart should retain a role as the team's primary designated hitter during its four-game series in Atlanta to begin the upcoming week.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Martinez won't participate in baseball activities for two days after reporting "overall body soreness" before he returns to Single-A St. Lucie's lineup Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Martinez was looking to join the Mets during the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday, but that's no longer a possibility. The 35-year-old could join the big club for Friday's series opener versus Kansas City in New York, though his season debut may get pushed back further. Martinez's outlook should receive more clarity once he attempts to return to minor-league action.

McCutchen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It's the second straight day on the bench for McCutchen, who is 3-for-20 with four walks and 11 strikeouts through his first five games of the season. Edward Olivares will bat seventh as the designated hitter.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday that Martinez won't join the big-league club during the four-game series in Atlanta that begins Monday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The veteran slugger made two appearances at Single-A St. Lucie this weekend but isn't quite ready to join the Mets. The earliest Martinez could now join the MLB club is Friday's series opener versus the Royals in New York, though it's unclear if he's expected to join the team at that point.