MLB Player News

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the Pirates.

Winker has slowly begun to turn things around, going 4-for-11 with two RBI and a run scored during Milwaukee's last series against the Mets. He'll get a breather for Friday's series opener while Christian Yelich steps in as the Brewers' DH, moving Blake Perkins into left field. Raimel Tapia will start in right while batting ninth.

Blackmon (hand) said Friday that he expects to wear a cast for two more weeks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon had indicated a couple weeks ago that he thought he could beat his initial timetable of a late July return, but it now it doesn't sound like that will happen. The veteran suffered a fractured right hand in mid-June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Friday that Harper could see action at first base before the All-Star break, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper has been limited to DH duties following a swifter than expected return in early May from Tommy John surgery, but he's been getting pregame reps at first base and is about ready to make his defensive debut at the position. The two-time NL MVP has never made a start at first base at any level of pro ball, but if he's able to handle the assignment it will greatly help Thomson's game-to-game lineup construction, and the additional eligibility would be a welcome boost to Harper's fantasy profile.

Belt is not in the lineup Friday versus the Red Sox.

Alejandro Kirk will fill the DH role and bat fifth as the Blue Jays face off against left-hander James Paxton. Belt has gone 3-for-18 (.167) with zero extra-base hit in very limited action this year against southpaws.

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's loss to the White Sox.

The two-way superstar made things interesting in the ninth inning, cutting the deficit to 9-7 with a two-out, two-run shot off Kendall Graveman, but the Angels got no closer. It's Ohtani's 14th homer in 26 games this month, boosting his league-leading total to 29. The long ball also extended his hit streak to seven games, and he's gone 14-for-30 (.467) with a 1.663 OPS in that span. Ohtani is on pace for a career season at the plate, even by his standards -- he's slashing .309/.392/.666 with 66 RBI, 58 runs scored and 11 steals through 360 plate appearances.

Martinez went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-3 win over the Rockies.

Martinez led the Dodgers, accounting for four of their 18 hits in the blowout win. The designated hitter's biggest contribution was a two-run blast in the fourth inning to put the visitors in control. He's gone 14-for-46 (.304) over his last 11 games. The 35-year-old is up to a .267/.310/.586 slash line, 19 homers, 55 RBI, 37 runs scored and a stolen base through 64 contests on the year.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Ramirez drew a start with Brandon Pfaadt on the mound, though he's been in the lineup for just 12 of the Rays' last 22 games against right-handed pitching. Without injuries to other regulars in the lineup, Ramirez most often splits time with Luke Raley -- the duo have appeared in the lineup together only seven times in that same 22-game span -- with Raley drawing the larger portion of playing time. Ramirez's struggles to get on the field consistently are a sign of the team's depth, as he has maintained a 129 wRC+ and .349 wOBA across 234 plate appearances on the season.

Pederson is playing left field and batting third Thursday versus the Blue Jays.

Pederson has been pressed into outfield duty for the first time this season after Michael Conforto was forced from Wednesday's game due to left hamstring tightness. Patrick Bailey is serving as the Giants' designated hitter Thursday and Blake Sabol will start behind the plate.

Stanton is starting in right field and batting cleanup in Thursday's game versus the Athletics, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stanton has now made back-to-back starts in right field and has been at the position three times over the last week. Those are his first three starts in the field since April 12, as he had been limited to designated hitter duty following a seven-week absence with a strained hamstring. Gleyber Torres will DH in this one, with DJ LeMahieu handling second base.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates.

Carpenter started Wednesday's game after being on the bench for eight straight, but he's now riding the pine again Thursday even with the Pirates starting a righty (Luis Ortiz). After putting up a .908 OPS in April, the 37-year-old has just a .497 OPS and 33 percent strikeout rate in the two months since. Because Carpenter doesn't provide value with the glove and has been in a deep slump at the plate for a while, his roster spot wouldn't seem to be secure at this point.