MLB Player News

  • Kyle Lewis DH | ARI

    Mariners' Kyle Lewis: Batting seventh in return to action

    Lewis (knee) was activated off the injured list Tuesday and will bat seventh and serve as the designated hitter against Oakland, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times reports.

    The Mariners brought Lewis along cautiously as he finished his recovery from knee surgery, a procedure he underwent in June of last year, but he's ready to go after hitting .314/.415/.629 with three homers in 10 rehab games for Triple-A Tacoma. Expect him to appear frequently as the designated hitter early on to protect his health, though he could eventually find most of his work in an outfield corner, as Jesse Winker doesn't offer much on the defensive side.

  • Eloy Jimenez DH | TOR

    White Sox's Eloy Jimenez: Close to rehab assignment

    White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said Tuesday that he expects Jimenez (hamstring) to begin a rehab assignment within the next week, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

    Hahn's comments came after Jimenez took live batting practice Tuesday against rehabbing starting pitcher Lance Lynn (knee), who is also expected to report to the minors for game action within a week. Before the White Sox map out a rehab schedule for Jimenez, he may still need to prove that his surgically repaired right hamstring doesn't inhibit him in the field or while he runs the bases. Whenever he's deemed ready to return from the injured list, Jimenez may see most of his starts as a designated hitter as the White Sox aim to preserve his health.

  • J.D. Martinez DH | NYM

    Red Sox's J.D. Martinez: Back in action

    Martinez (back) will return to the lineup Tuesday against the White Sox, batting third while serving as the designated hitter, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

    Martinez was scratched Sunday against Seattle due to back spasms, but the issue was evidently fairly minor, as he's good to go following Monday's scheduled off day. That's great news for the Red Sox, as Martinez is off to an excellent start at the plate this season, hitting .349/.390/.581.

  • Justin Turner DH | CHC

    Dodgers' Justin Turner: Expected to log more time at DH

    Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated recently that Turner will spend more time as designated hitter while Max Muncy sees more work at third base moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

    Though Turner has been playing better of late, he hasn't hit to his usual standards so far this season, slashing just .207/.265/.364 with four homers through 140 at-bats. Muncy has struggled even more, slashing just .157/.327/.276 with three homers in 154 plate appearances. Roberts suggested that the change is meant to help both veterans settle into a consistent role, likely in hopes that such a move will jumpstart their bats. "I think getting each of those guys more accustomed to a certain role, I think ultimately could be beneficial," Roberts stated.

  • Zack Collins C | CLE

    Blue Jays' Zack Collins: Optioned to Triple-A

    Collins was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

    He was in a three-way committee at catcher with the big-league club, but he had been losing playing time since Danny Jansen returned from the injured list May 14. Across 69 plate appearances, Collins hit .194/.275/.387 with 40.6 percent strikeout rate. Julian Merryweather was recalled in the corresponding move.

  • Kyle Lewis DH | ARI

    Mariners' Kyle Lewis: Targeting Tuesday return

    Lewis (knee) won't join the team Monday as previously reported but is expected to arrive Tuesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

    The Mariners have been very careful with Lewis' rehabilitation, bringing him along slowly as he completes the final stages of his recovery from the right knee surgery he underwent last June. He'll be back one day later than previously reported, but it doesn't appear as though that's due to any sort of setback. He should play regularly once active, featuring frequently at the designated hitter spot to ease the strain on his knee.

  • Pirates' Daniel Vogelbach: Returns to lineup

    Vogelbach (lower body) is starting Monday against the Rockies.

    Vogelbach was out of the lineup for the last three games while tending to a lower-body injury, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup in Monday's series opener. Over his last five games, he's gone 2-for-14 with a triple, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts.

  • Justin Turner DH | CHC

    Dodgers' Justin Turner: Not in Monday's lineup

    Turner isn't starting Monday against the Nationals.

    Turner drew starts in the last four games and went 4-for-16 with a homer, a double, four RBI, two walks and five strikeouts. However, he'll get a breather while Edwin Rios serves as the designated hitter and bats cleanup.

  • Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD

    Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Tees off on A's

    Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Sunday in the Angels' 4-1 win over the Athletics.

    Ohtani's leadoff long ball in the bottom of the first inning staked the Angels to an early 1-0 lead that the team maintained the rest of the way. He's now up to nine home runs on the season, placing him behind only Mike Trout (12) for the team lead.

  • Brandon Belt DH | TOR

    Giants' Brandon Belt: Receives cortisone shot

    Belt received a cortisone shot and had his knee drained Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

    Belt was unavailable for the Giants' weekend series against the Padres and has landed on the injured list for the second time this season. However, he's optimistic that he'll be able to return after spending the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores should see additional time at first base while Belt is sidelined.

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