MLB Player News

Ramirez is not in the lineup Thursday against the White Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

It's a lineup that is heavy on left-handed and switch-hitters for this matchup against ace right-hander Dylan Cease. Brandon Lowe will DH and Taylor Walls is at second base. Ramirez is sitting on a terrific .354/.417/.677 slash line through 72 plate appearances on the year.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Martinez (back) hasn't been able to swing a bat in the last few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez is out of the lineup for the third straight game Thursday at Pittsburgh, and Roberts told reporters that an MRI might be in the works once the team returns to Los Angeles. The veteran designated hitter began feeling tightness on the left side of his lower back in Sunday's series finale against the Cubs. If he doesn't show improvement by Friday, an IL stint may be necessary. Michael Busch could then remain with the club through Max Muncy's return from paternity leave.

Soler is not in the Marlins' lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Soler will take a seat after going 4-for-22 with a double, four walks and three runs in his past six contests. Garrett Cooper will be the Marlins' designated hitter with Yuli Gurriel covering first base.

Martinez (back) remains out of the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It's the third straight start he's missed due to back tightness. Martinez is considered day-to-day and will look to get back in action Friday when the Dodgers return home to host the Cardinals. David Peralta is serving as the designated hitter Thursday, with Trayce Thompson in left field.

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a home run and three total RBI on Wednesday against the Athletics in an 11-3 win.

Ohtani got involved in the offense late in the game, singling home a run in the sixth inning and slamming a two-run homer in the eighth. The multi-hit performance was his second over his past four contests, a span during which he's gone 5-for-16 with a pair of long balls, five RBI and two stolen bases. Ohtani ranks second on the Angels in both homers (six) and RBI (16) through the team's first 25 games.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) has gone 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in three games since he was activated from Triple-A Louisville's 7-day injured list Sunday.

Though his back injury first cropped up in February, Encarnacion-Strand turned heads in the Cactus League while playing at less-than-optimal health before the Reds optioned him to minor-league camp in mid-March. Encarnacion-Strand's regular-season debut was delayed mainly for precautionary reasons while he dealt with a slight herniation in his back, but the 23-year-old should play on a near-everyday basis at Triple-A now that he's been activated. He won't strictly be limited to the designated-hitter role, either, as he's already made two of his three starts at first base.

Pederson isn't starting Wednesday against St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With the left-handed Steven Matz starting on the mound for the Cardinals, Pederson will begin Wednesday's contest in the dugout. Michael Conforto will instead serve as San Francisco's DH, opening up a spot for Austin Slater to start in center field and bat leadoff.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With a left-hander (Drew Smyly) on the mound, the lefty-hitting Carpenter will give way to his platoon mate at designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. Carpenter started each of the previous three games and accrued a home run, four doubles and six RBI over that stretch.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday's game that Martinez (back) could be available off the bench against the Pirates but it will depend on how he's feeling after pregame activities, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez is sitting out a second consecutive game while dealing with back tightness. If the veteran designated hitter isn't able to get into the lineup off the bench against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, there's a very good chance he is back in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Alvarez (neck) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez will wind up missing the Astros' entire three-game series in Tampa, as he remains in Houston while he continues to experience neck discomfort, which he had been playing through for nearly a week. According to Rome, manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Alvarez is feeling "about the same" as he did Tuesday, which doesn't inspire much confidence that he'll be ready to play coming out of Thursday's team off day. Baker noted that before a determination is made on whether Alvarez will require a stint on the 10-day injured list, the Astros' medical staff will re-evaluate the slugger when the team returns to Houston.