MLB Player News

Miller is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Astros.

The Rangers are facing off against lefty Framber Valdez in the series opener, so the lefty-hitting Miller will head to the bench so Texas can get an extra right-handed bat in the lineup. Miller has made two of his last three starts as a designated hitter, but he may see his pathway to playing time at that spot become more blocked against right-handed pitching following the Rangers' activation of Mitch Garver (elbow) from the 10-day injured list Thursday. Though Garver opened the season as the Rangers' top catcher, he has yet to resume throwing since initially suffering the elbow injury earlier this month, so he'll be limited to a DH-only role in the short term. If Garver ends up clogging up the DH spot against right-handed pitching, the Rangers may have to send third baseman Andy Ibanez or outfielder Eli White to the bench more frequently if they want to keep a spot in the lineup open for Miller.

Brantley is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers.

Brantley started the past 16 games and will receive a day off after posting an .805 OPS during that stretch. Chas McCormick will shift to left field while Jose Siri starts in center.

Carpenter was released by the Rangers on Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Carpenter joined Texas on a minor-league deal in mid-March, and he'll return to free agency after not receiving a chance in the big leagues. The 37-year-old appeared in 21 games for Triple-A Round Rock and hit .275/.379/.613 with six home runs, so another team could opt to sign him on a flier.

Solak was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday.

Solak started only one of the past five games and has now been demoted to the minors. The 27-year-old hit .209/.293/.313 with two home runs, three RBI and three stolen bases in 75 plate appearances. Mitch Garver (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Ford is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Red Sox.

The lefty-hitting Ford has served as Seattle's primary designated hitter since he was reacquired from the Giants last week, but he'll take a seat with southpaw Rich Hill on the mound for Boston. Ford is expected to lose out on steady at-bats against right-handers as soon as next week, when outfielder/DH Kyle Lewis (knee) could be reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

Canha went 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored and an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Cardinals.

It's the second multi-hit performance for Canha in his last five starts as he builds momentum at the plate. The veteran outfielder is hitting .333 (6-for-18) during that stretch with three walks, two homers, five RBI and seven runs, pushing his slash line on the season up to .299/.384/.402.

Harper (elbow) remains on the bench Thursday against the Padres, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper has been limited to serving as the designated hitter for almost the entirety of the season after spraining his right UCL early in the year, though you wouldn't know he'd been playing hurt just by looking at his numbers; he's hitting .305/.361/.634 with nine homers and six steals on the year. He received a platelet-plasma injection over the weekend, however, which has kept him on the bench for now the fourth straight game. Reports from earlier in the week indicated he was targeting a Thursday return, so it's unclear if he's suffered a setback or if he'll need just one more day to recover.

Miller went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Angels.

Miller launched his sixth homer of the season during the seventh inning to give Texas a lead that Matt Bush was unable to protect later in the game. His leadoff single to start the game for Texas snapped an 0-for-12 skid, as Miller continues to battle at the plate. He's batting just .213 (19-for-89) but has 18 RBI over 31 games, which ties him for second on the team.

Ohtani didn't factor into the decision during Wednesday's 6-5 loss to Texas, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with seven strikeouts in six innings.

Ohtani navigated Texas' lineup successfully with the exception of Jonah Heim, who accounted for both runs surrendered with RBI in the fourth and sixth innings. The 27-year-old has delivered quality starts in three straight turns and has now permitted two runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. Ohtani lines up to take the hill again next week against Toronto.

Blackmon went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run Wednesday against the Giants.

Blackmon led off the bottom of the first inning with his sixth home run of the season. In five starts during the team's current homestand, Blackmon has gone 5-for-21 with two home runs, four RBI and four runs scored. However, on the campaign, he has managed just a .312 wOBA and 88 wRC+ across 141 plate appearances.