MLB Player News

Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that Brantley (shoulder) has yet to resume swinging a bat, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It was reported last week that Brantley was close to taking swings, but it appears the veteran outfielder still hasn't been cleared. The 35-year-old's recovery from the shoulder injury, which put him on the injured list in late June, has been slow, and it's unclear when he's expected to retake the field for the Astros.

Turner isn't starting Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Turner returned from a five-game absence Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI and a walk. However, he'll retreat to the bench while Jake Lamb serves as the designated hitter and bats sixth Thursday.

Lewis isn't starting Thursday against Houston.

Lewis started the last two games and went 1-for-6 with an RBI, a walk and four strikeouts. Dylan Moore is taking his place in right field and batting ninth.

Blackmon isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.

Blackmon started the first six games after the All-Star break and hit .231 with two homers, a double, five RBI and three runs. C.J. Cron is serving as the designated hitter while Yonathan Daza enters the lineup in center field.

Madris was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

The 26-year-old was sent down in early July but will rejoin the Pirates as outfield depth after Bryan Reynolds (personal) was placed on the paternity list Thursday. Madris has slashed .259/.286/.407 with a homer, six RBI, five runs and two stolen bases over 15 major-league games this year.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

Carpenter went 3-for-15 with a solo home run and a walk while starting each of the last four games in right field, and though it's Joey Gallo who will replace him in the lineup Thursday, the acquisition of Andrew Benintendi is more likely to dampen Carpenter's playing-time outlook moving forward. Giancarlo Stanton's (Achilles) recent move to the injured list temporarily alleviates the logjam in the corner outfield and at designated hitter, but once Stanton is healthy, the likes of Carpenter, Aaron Hicks and Gallo could all see their opportunities take a hit.

Alvarez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run and two walks in a 4-2 loss to the Athletics on Wednesday.

Alvarez turned on a 90 mph fastball that Cole Irvin left on the inner half of the plate for his 29th home run and 67th RBI of the season. The line drive blast was complemented by two walks and Alvarez now has a .413 OBP to go along with a .674 SLG. The elite 25-year-old slugger has reached base in seven straight games.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run Wednesday against the Orioles.

Choi took Tyler Wells yard in the opening inning to record his eighth home run of the season. He continues to have a regular role against right-handed pitching but has managed only a .224/.325/.358 line across 77 plate appearances in July. Overall, Choi has maintained a 134 wRC+ and .351 wOBA in 279 plate appearances for the season.

Carpenter will start in right field and bat fifth in Wednesday's game against the Mets.

He'll man right field for the fourth game in a row and should serve as the primary option at the position following Giancarlo Stanton's (Achilles) placement on the 10-day injured list Tuesday. Carpenter has been cold out of the All-Star break with a 2-for-18 showing at the plate, but he's still holding down a monstrous 1.221 OPS through 118 plate appearances on the season.

Ruf is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ruf went 2-for-14 with a home run and three walks while starting in each of the past five games, but he benefited from the Giants opposing four left-handed pitchers during that stretch. Right-hander Zac Gallen is on the bump for the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, and Ruf now appears likely to settle into a short-side platoon role at either first base, left field or designated hitter moving forward.