MLB Player News

Rooker went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 10-4 loss to Tampa Bay.

Rooker singled and scored in the fourth inning before knocking an RBI single in the fifth. He put a cherry on top of his big day with a solo blast in the seventh, but it wasn't enough to prevent the blowout loss as it was Minnesota's only extra-base hit of the evening. The rookie outfielder entered Friday's game with a .100 average (5-for-50) in 12 games since his last multi-hit performance July 28. Rooker is now slashing .187/.243/.383 with 11 extra-base hits through 115 plate appearances.

Turner (groin) will likely be available off the bench for Saturday's game against the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

While manager Dave Roberts sounded as though Turner would be held out of the starting lineup for a fifth consecutive game Saturday, availability off the bench would still be an improvement on his status since he didn't appear in any of the last four contests. The 36-year-old has been dealing with groin discomfort since last weekend but would likely avoid a trip to the injured list if he's ultimately available Saturday.

Winker was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Phillies due to lower back tightness, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Winker was replaced by Shogo Akiyama in the lineup shortly before the start of Friday's contest. It's not yet clear when the 27-year-old will be able to return to action.

Belt isn't starting Friday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt has gone hitless with a walk and three strikeouts in his last seven at-bats, and he'll get a breather with left-hander Austin Gomber on the mound Friday. Darin Ruf will start at first base and bat fourth.

Dickerson isn't starting Friday's game against the Rockies, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson has gone 3-for-7 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs across his last three appearances, but he'll take a seat with left-hander Austin Gomber starting Friday. Kris Bryant will shift to left field while Wilmer Flores starts at third base.

Winker was a late scratch from Friday's lineup against the Phillies, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear why he was scratched. Shogo Akiyama was added to the lineup in center field with Tyler Naquin sliding over to left.

Choi (hamstring) is feeling better and is available off the bench Friday against the Twins, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

He got treatment on his left hamstring prior to the game. Choi exited Tuesday's game with the minor injury and played the full game Wednesday, but was out of the lineup Thursday and again Friday. It sounds like he is day-to-day and could potentially return Saturday against righty Kenta Maeda.

Martinez will be on the bench for Friday's game against Baltimore, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Kyle Schwarber will be the designated hitter in both his first game back from a hamstring injury and his first game as a member of the Red Sox. While designated hitter may be Schwarber's best fit on most teams, Martinez is clearly far too good to fall out of the regular lineup, so the Red Sox will have to play one of the two sluggers in the outfield (or potentially first base, in Schwarber's case) most of the time.

Canha will sit Friday against Texas.

Canha had started every game since returning from the injured list back in mid-July. He hasn't been at his best over that 22-game stretch, hitting a modest .222/.388/.296, though his 14:14 K:BB is an encouraging sign. Tony Kemp will be the left fielder Friday.

Ramirez (knee) was placed on the injured list Friday.

Ramirez left Wednesday's game against Oakland with right knee tightness, an issue which is evidently serious enough to cost him at least 10 days. The transaction was backdated to Thursday, so he'll be eligible to return Aug. 22. Infielder Yu Chang was called up in a corresponding move.