MLB Player News

Ford went 3-for-3 with a home run, a double, two walks, four RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 10-1 win over the Astros.

Ford plated two runs with a double in the fourth inning and tacked on a solo shot in the ninth. It's the second time in the last four games he's racked up multiple extra-base hits. The 31-year-old is batting .282 with eight homers, 17 RBI, 15 runs scored and three doubles over 86 plate appearances, and his strong hitting in July is helping him hold down the designated hitter spot versus right-handed pitchers.

Pittsburgh activated Choi (Achilles) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Choi is finally recovered from the left Achilles strain that has kept him out since mid-April, just in time to serve as a DH option for the Pirates as Andrew McCutchen (elbow) heads to the 10-day IL. Choi went 10-for-31 (.323) with three homers and nine RBI on a nine-game rehab assignment split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh placed McCutchen on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to July 6, with right elbow discomfort.

McCutchen missed a few games in late June due to right elbow soreness, and the issue seems to have carried over into July as he'd gone 0-for-17 with two walks and six strikeouts over his last four games. The veteran is eligible to return July 16 -- the Sunday after the All-Star break -- and could be an important asset for the Pirates if he's able to carry a clean bill of health into the August 1 trade deadline.

Pederson is not in the lineup Friday versus the Rockies.

Wilmer Flores will serve as the designated hitter against left-hander Austin Gomber. The left-handed-hitting Pederson has gone 3-for-15 in limited action this year against southpaws.

Alvarez (oblique) took on-field batting practice Friday in Houston, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The rehabbing slugger will next advance to simulated at-bats this Sunday as he completes his recovery from the right oblique strain that sent him to the injured list June 8. Alvarez seems likely to return to the Astros lineup shortly after the All-Star break.

Winker is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Reds.

Winker will take a seat as the Brewers face off with southpaw Andrew Abbott on Friday. William Contreras will take over at designated hitter while Victor Caratini starts at catcher and bats eighth.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Turner could play second base, MLB.com reports.

Cora indicated he could deploy some creative alignments with the return of Yu Chang (wrist), who will serve as the team's primary shortstop when activated this weekend. Having Turner play second base would maximize the team's offense by having Turner, Adam Duvall and Jarren Duran in the order. Turner currently rides a six-game hit streak, going 11-for-24 with two home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored during that stretch.

Lewis entered Thursday's game after Corbin Carroll was removed due to a shoulder injury and want 0-for-2.

Carroll left immediately following a swing in the sixth inning and is set to undergo an MRI on Friday. More will be learned about the length of Carroll's absence following the exam, but it's safe to assume the Diamondbacks will hold him out through the All-Star break at a minimum. That means Lewis or Dominic Fletcher will be used this weekend against the Pirates. Lewis is 1-for-11 since being called up from Triple-A Reno on June 30.

Jimenez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to the Blue Jays in Game 2 of a doubleheader Thursday.

Jimenez went 0-for-4 in the matinee and 1-for-8 in the twin bill overall, but his lone hit was a two-run shot in the third inning of Game 2. It was the third homer in the past eight games for Jimenez, and he's batted .333 with 10 RBI over that stretch. The 26-year-old is up to 12 homers and 40 RBI over 239 plate appearances on the season.

McCutchen is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers.

McCutchen will sit for the second time in the last four games amid a 17 at-bat hitless stretch. Carlos Santana will hit fourth and serve as the designated hitter while Connor Joe will enter the lineup to play first base and hit fifth.