MLB Player News

Winker went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Thursday's 4-2 win over the Cardinals.

Winker slammed a two-run home run off Adam Wainwright with two outs in the second inning. His 14 home runs lead the Reds and are tied for third in the National League. The 27-year-old's .348 batting average is second to teammate Nick Castellanos in all of baseball. In addition, his 1.044 OPS is third in MLB.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's victory over the Rangers.

Blackmon's fourth long ball of the season came against Mike Foltynewicz in the third inning. He actually reached base on four occasions, starting off with a hit-by-pitch in the first frame. He then singled in the sixth and knocked in a two-run double in the seventh. It was the ninth multi-hit game of the season for the 34-year-old, who got off to a slow start but seems to be heating up lately with eight hits in his last four games. Blackmon is slashing .262/.362/.407 overall.

Belt (oblique) will take batting practice Thursday and could return from the injured list this weekend, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

The 33-year-old was expected to miss 10-to-14 days with the oblique strain and is eligible to be activated this weekend, and it appears he's on schedule in his recovery. Wilmer Flores should continue seeing time at first base until Belt can return.

Choi (groin) wasn't feeling much better during the day Thursday and the team will know more about his status in the coming days, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The hope was that after getting some treatment he could be available as a pinch hitter in Thursday's game against the Yankees, but it doesn't sound like that was the case. Manager Kevin Cash said the team might know more later in the evening or Friday. In the meantime, Yandy Diaz should handle the bulk of the work at first base.

Vogelbach will start at first base and bat second Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Vogelbach has been on the bench for six of the Brewers' last seven contests, but his absences have largely been a result of Milwaukee encountering a southpaw-heavy stretch of opposing starters. He'll be back in the lineup Thursday against Arizona right-hander Jon Duplantier, and Vogelbach still looks to be locked into the strong side of a platoon at first base with Keston Hiura.

Cabrera (groin) is starting at designated hitter and batting third Thursday against the White Sox, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

He was lifted from Tuesday's game with left groin tightness, but it was apparently a minor issue. Cabrera has hit .216 with two home runs in 25 games since May 1.

Canha went 1-for-5 with a two-run single, an RBI fielder's choice and a run in a win over the Mariners on Wednesday.

Canha continues to make plenty of outs -- he's a miserable 3-for-25 over his last six games -- but timely hitting over the last pair of contests has led to four total RBI. The veteran is starting to accumulate some RBI production apart from what's directly stemmed from his barrage of solo homers, as prior to those most recent four RBI, he'd driven in just 15 runs despite having slugged 10 round trippers.

Soler (groin) will start in right field Thursday against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Given that he is not only back but is able to play the field rather than DH, it appears Soler has recovered from his groin issue. He is hitting .154 with two home runs and 33 strikeouts in 91 at-bats since May 1.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Thursday that he fears Lewis (knee) could be in line for a long-term absence, Maura Dooley of ESPN 710 AM Seattle reports. "I'm hopeful that we'll see him again this year on the field, but I don't think it's going to be quick," Dipoto said of Lewis.

Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday after being diagnosed with a torn right meniscus tear, but the Mariners have not yet provided an estimated timeline for his return. The outfielder was sent in for a second opinion on his injury Wednesday, and Dipoto's pessimistic tone about Lewis' situation a day later suggests the Mariners didn't receive good news during the checkup. With the reigning American League Rookie of the Year now looking likely to be sidelined through the All-Star break -- if not longer -- Taylor Trammell is expected to get another trial as an everyday outfielder alongside Jarred Kelenic and Mitch Haniger.

Choi is dealing with some groin soreness, which is why he is not in Thursday's lineup against the Yankees, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Manager Kevin Cash said Choi will get some treatment and will hopefully be available as a pinch hitter. Yandy Diaz is starting at first base and batting third.