MLB Player News

Choi is not starting Tuesday against Boston and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi is hitless in his 16 August at-bats, so he'll get a chance to reset with the lefty on the mound Tuesday. Jordan Luplow will move to the infield to man first base and bat fifth.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Brantley (head) would start in left field Tuesday against the Rockies, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Houston isn't expected to release its lineup until a few hours prior to Tuesday's 8:10 p.m. ET first pitch, but the starting nine will include Brantley, who was removed from the Astros' last game Sunday against the Twins after taking a hit to the head during a collision on the bases with Minnesota's Andrelton Simmons. Brantley apparently passed all concussion tests, with the Astros later terming his removal as precautionary. The team's plan to deploy Brantley in the outfield rather than as a designated hitter supports the notion that there's no concern about his health.

Rooker went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts Monday in the Twins' 11-1 loss to the White Sox.

The Twins continue to deploy Rooker as their No. 2 hitter, but his poor results of late could prompt manager Rocco Baldelli to push the rookie down in the batting order. Through eight games in August, Rooker has gone 4-for-34 while drawing only two walks against 11 strikeouts. His batting average now sits at .168 for the season.

Double-A Springfield placed Baker on the COVID-19 injured list Tuesday.

Springfield is dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak among its roster, as six players were placed on the injured list Tuesday. The affiliate hasn't announced whether Baker's placement on the IL is the result of him testing positive for the coronavirus, or if he was merely identified as a close contact of an infected person or persons. Over 78 games with Springfield this season, Baker is slashing .247/.327/.545 with 23 home runs and 60 RBI.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a walk, two home runs and five RBI in Monday's 11-1 win over the Twins.

Jimenez posted a near-identical line to his previous game when he slugged a pair of homers and drove in five in Sunday's win over the Cubs. He became the fastest White Sox hitter to reach 50 homers (187 games). The 24-year-old outfielder, who didn't make his season debut until late July due to a pectoral injury and then injured his groin immediately upon his return, needed several at-bats to get his timing down against MLB pitching. Jimenez is now riding a five-game hit streak, during which he's gone 9-for-18 with four home runs and four doubles. With the timing of his swing locked down, Jimenez should be the dangerous power threat he showed in 2019, when he launched 31 bombs in 122 games.

Buxton (hand) fielded flyballs, hit and ran the bases prior to Monday's game against the White Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Buxton has been out with a broken hand since late June. He still doesn't have a clear timetable for his return, and the Twins have little incentive to rush him given their place in the standings, but he's clearly trending in the right direction. The length of his absence means he'll likely need a rehab assignment before returning to the roster.

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday after the Dodgers' 8-2 win over the Angels that Turner (groin) will be "down for a few days, and then we'll re-evaluate," Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers are off Monday, but Roberts' comments would seem to hint that he isn't banking on Turner returning to the lineup for Tuesday's series opener in Philadelphia, after the third baseman exited early Sunday with left groin discomfort. Turner is still being viewed as day-to-day, so for the time being, Los Angeles is optimistic that he'll avoid the injured list.

Canha went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs in a win over the Rangers on Sunday.

Canha pushed his on-base percentage back up to .386 with yet another busy day on the bases Sunday. Rare is the game that doesn't find Canha aboard at least once; the last time he failed to reach safely by either hit, walk or hit by pitch was June 24 against these same Rangers, a contest he exited after just two plate appearances due to a hip strain that subsequently landed him on the injured list.

Martinez went 4-for-5 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs Sunday in the Red Sox's 9-8 loss to the Blue Jays.

Brought back from the COVID-19 injured list Sunday after a one-game hiatus, Martinez busted out with his third four-hit performance of the season. Prior to being deactivated for a day, Martinez had been in the midst of a prolonged slump, going 8-for-55 (.145 average) over his prior 14 starts. The Red Sox will need Martinez to re-emerge as the All-Star player he was in the first half if the team is to chase down the Rays for the American League East crown or hold its position in the wild-card race.

Winker went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored Sunday in the Reds' 3-2 win over the Pirates.

The two-bagger was Winker's third in as many days and his 14th in 22 games since the All-Star break, allowing him to match Atlanta's Ozzie Albies for the MLB lead in the category (31). Even in traditional rotisserie leagues where he doesn't gain extra value for doubles, Winker has been a solid four-category producer in the second half with four home runs, 17 RBI, 17 runs and a .341 average. His efforts have helped keep the Reds alive in the National League wild-card race while outfield mate and fellow All-Star Nick Castellanos has missed time with a wrist injury.