MLB Player News

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-7 loss to Atlanta.

Blackmon brought the Rockies within a run with his ninth-inning solo shot, but the comeback effort fell short. This was his first extra-base hit since his last homer May 29 versus the Nationals. The outfielder is still struggling at the plate with a .244/.308/.415 slash line in 215 plate appearances this season, but he's gone 6-for-19 (.316) over his last four games. The 35-year-old has added eight homers, 26 RBI, 25 runs scored, a stolen base, seven doubles and a triple through 48 contests.

McCutchen went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-4 extra-inning loss to the Padres.

McCutchen provided an RBI single in the 10th inning, but the Brewers weren't able to turn that into a rally. The 35-year-old outfielder had gone just 1-for-38 in his previous nine games before breaking out of the slump Sunday. That poor stretch has dropped his slash line to .216/.265/.304 with three home runs, 20 RBI, 16 runs scored, three stolen bases and six doubles through 185 plate appearances this year.

Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a triple and three runs scored in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Royals.

Alvarez continues to rack up hits at a rapid rate -- he's 17-for-35 (.486) in his last nine games with six extra-base hits in that span. He came up a double shy of the cycle Sunday, which was his second three-hit effort in his last three games. For the season, he's batting .295 with a 1.015 OPS while adding 16 homers, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored, five doubles and two triples through 201 plate appearances.

Turner had his hamstring tighten up Saturday, which is why he is starting at designated hitter Sunday against the Mets, Sarah Wexler of MLB.com reports.

The issue is apparently very minor, and Turner is no stranger to getting starts at designated hitter anyway (21 appearances so far this season). Eddy Alvarez is starting at third base and hitting eighth Sunday.

Jimenez (hamstring) is still working on building up his lower-body strength at Triple-A Charlotte before being activated, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He has been serving as the designated hitter through four rehab games, going 4-for-13, but he is starting in left field Sunday. Manager Tony La Russa said Jimenez's legs aren't ready yet. It was reported that he could be activated during this upcoming homestand that runs Tuesday through Sunday, and that still seems possible, but it probably wouldn't come until midway through the homestand at the earliest.

Martinez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Athletics, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez is hitting .308 with zero home runs and 10 runs scored over his last 10 games. Jarren Duran, who may be up only while Jackie Bradley is on the paternity list, is getting the start at designated hitter.

Ozuna is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rockies.

Ozuna is hitting .290 with two home runs over his current seven-game hit streak. William Contreras will start at designated hitter.

Brantley is not in Sunday's lineup against the Royals.

Brantley is hitting .229 with zero home runs and one steal over his last 10 games. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field with Chas McCormick moving to left.

Rooker was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Sunday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

He didn't appear in a game during this brief two-day stint with the big club. Rooker is hitting .242/.357/.568 with nine home runs and 37 strikeouts in 26 games at Triple-A.

Pederson is not in Sunday's lineup against the Marlins.

Pederson will take a seat with southpaw Braxton Garrett starting for Miami, but he could enter as a pinch hitter once the Marlins bring in a righty. He is hitting .323 with three home runs over his last 10 games.