MLB Player News

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Twins.

Martinez, who snapped a 35-game homer-less drought Sunday, now has two blasts in the last four days. The slugger has just 11 home runs for the season, a dip in power he attributed to not firing his hips correctly, according to Christopher Smith of MassLive.com.

Hummel started at catcher and went 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 18-2 loss to Philadelphia.

All five of Hummel's starts since being recalled Aug. 9 have come behind the dish. Normally an outfielder, Hummel added catching duties to his resume in 2022, and any playing time for the rest of the season will likely come as a catcher, as Arizona's outfield is crowded with some of the organization's best prospects, in addition to the suddenly valuable Jake McCarthy. Daulton Varsho -- one of the prospects in the outfield that came up through the system as a catcher -- could also be used behind the plate, but he's primarily focused on right field.

Harper went 3-for-4 with two walks, one RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 18-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Every Phillie in the starting lineup recorded at least two hits in the massively lopsided contest. Harper led the way by getting on base five times, though he wasn't as directly involved in run production. The 29-year-old hasn't missed a beat since returning from a broken thumb, going 8-for-21 (.381) with two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored in six games since he was activated. He's up to a .323/.395/.589 slash line with 15 home runs, 52 RBI, 52 runs scored and nine stolen bases through 70 contests overall.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

Ohtani delivered the game-winning hit for the second time in three games when he took Yankees ace Gerrit Cole deep in the sixth inning. The homer was Ohtani's third in his last four contests and his 30th of the year, the second time he's reached that mark in his career. The two-way star has added a .269/.359/.529 slash line with 82 RBI, 75 runs scored and 11 stolen bases through 127 games. He finished August by hitting safely in six of his last seven games, going 10-for-27 (.370) in that span.

Reyes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's win over the Blue Jays.

Reyes now has 13 home runs this season, with four of those coming since joining the Cubs via waivers earlier this month. The 27-year-old is also batting a solid .276 across 22 games with his new team, and he should continue to see regular playing time as Chicago's DH as long as he keeps producing like this.

Ruf will serve as the Mets' designated hitter and No. 5 batter in Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

The Dodgers are bringing a lefty (Tyler Anderson) from the second straight day, so the righty-hitting Ruf will pick up another start at the expense of platoon mate Daniel Vogelbach. Since being acquired from the Giants on Aug. 2, Ruf has hit .206 with zero home runs, three doubles, six RBI and five runs in 15 games.

Winker isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Winker will get a breather after he went 0-for-11 with four strikeouts over the last three games. Sam Haggerty (finger) is returning to the lineup as the left fielder and batting ninth.

Vogelbach isn't starting Wednesday against the Dodgers.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game since southpaw Tyler Anderson is on the mound for the Dodgers. Darin Ruf is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth.

Mercedes was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Mercedes was called up and started at first base for Tuesday's game versus the Padres, but he will return to Sacramento on Wednesday. Andrew Knapp had his contract selected and will operate as the primary backup to Austin Wynns at catcher for the time being as Joey Bart (concussion) is unavailable.

Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Marlins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The lefty-hitting Choi finds himself on the bench for the fifth time in six games, with four of his absences coming against left-handed pitchers. Harold Ramirez will fill in at first base and bat cleanup against Marlins southpaw Trevor Rogers.