MLB Player News

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and three runs scored Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Alvarez led off the second inning with his 12th home run of the season. He now has three multi-hit games in his last seven starts while driving in six and scoring eight runs. Alvarez has maintained a strong .259/.360/.595 line across 136 plate appearances to begin the campaign.

Choi is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale versus the Tigers.

The Rays are facing left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and Choi will take a seat after starting the first two games of the series, going 2-for-6 with a double and two RBI in those contests. Harold Ramirez is starting at designated hitter and will bat third as the team tries to take the rubber match Wednesday.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera will get a breather as the Tigers wrap up their series in Tampa Bay with a day game after a night game. Jeimer Candelario will handle designated-hitter duties in place of Cabrera, while Harold Castro fills in at third base for Candelario.

Brantley went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Red Sox.

Brantley was one of five Astros hitters to go yard in the second inning, and he launched his third home run of the campaign. The performance extended his hitting streak to seven games, during which he's recorded five RBI and six runs scored while hitting .355. For the campaign, Brantley has maintained a .286/.357/.429 line across 141 plate appearances.

Martinez went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 13-4 loss to the Astros.

Martinez launched his fifth home run of the season in the fifth inning, but by that time, the Red Sox were down by 10 runs. The DH extended his batting streak to 19 games, during which Martinez has gone 29-for-75 (.387) with four home runs, nine doubles, 13 RBI and nine runs scored.

Appearing as a pinch hitter, Morel delivered a solo home run in his only at-bat during Tuesday's win over the Pirates.

Morel began his MLB career with a bang, delivering a home run in his first at-bat during the eighth inning of the 7-0 win. He is the first Cubs player to homer in his first career at-bat since Willson Contreras did so in 2016, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. The 22-year-old was recalled from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday to replace Jason Heyward, who landed on the COVID-19-related injured list. Morel should be on the short side of a platoon in center with Rafael Ortega, so he may not see enough playing time in the short term to have a ton of fantasy value.

McCutchen (illness) won't be activated from the COVID-19 injured list for Wednesday's series finale versus Atlanta, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The veteran outfielder was scheduled for a full workout Tuesday, and the team apparently wants to give him a couple more days to keep ramping up before he rejoins the active roster. McCutchen is now expected to be activated for Friday's series opener against the Nationals.

Turner is out of the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Diamondbacks, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two strikeouts during Game 1 and will take a seat for Tuesday's nightcap. Max Muncy will man the hot corner while Edwin Rios bats cleanup as the designated hitter.

Harper (elbow), who's out of the lineup Tuesday against the Padres, may miss Wednesday's game as well, but he hopes to return for Thursday's series finale, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper received a platelet-rich plasma injection to address the UCL sprain in his right elbow, an injury he's been able to play through as a designated hitter. He could wind up missing at least three days due to the shot, but a trip to the injured list doesn't appear to be on the table at this time.

The Cubs recalled Morel from Double-A Tennessee on Tuesday.

During his six-year minor-league career, the 22-year-old Morel has seen work at every position except first base, catcher and pitcher, so he'll provide the Cubs with some added versatility off the bench during his first taste of the big leagues. The righty-hitting Morel, who posted a .937 OPS in 123 plate appearances at Tennessee, is likely to see most of his initial opportunities as a short-side platoon option in center field alongside the lefty-hitting Rafael Ortega, while Jason Heyward is on the COVID-19-related injured list.