MLB Player News

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.

Turner (groin) is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Manager Dave Roberts previously said the veteran third baseman wouldn't be available for Friday's contest, so this is an expected absence. It's the fourth consecutive game on the bench for Turner since he exited Sunday's contest with groin discomfort. The 36-year-old is expected to be evaluated Saturday, when it will likely be determined whether a trip to the injured list is necessary.

Choi will sit Friday against Minnesota, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row, both of which have come against righties. He's had a poor showing thus far in August, going just 2-for-22 at the plate with 11 strikeouts. Yandy Diaz will start at first base in his absence.