MLB Player News

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.

Vientos has not played since Aug. 3 for Double-A Binghamton after being removed from that game due to "health and safety protocols," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets have not released any updates about Vientos since, so the logical conclusion given the length of his absence is a positive test for COVID-19. The 21-year-old is having a strong campaign at Double-A, slashing .279/.350/.601 through 62 games with 20 homers and a 24:73 BB:K, and he's seen time at both first base and left field in addition to his usual spot at the hot corner with fellow third base prospect Brett Baty also on the roster for Binghamton.

Ohtani (7-1) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings in Thursday's victory over the Blue Jays. He also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and a walk.

Ohtani turned in a steady performance on the mound, limiting the potent Blue Jays lineup to just a pair of runs while chalking up his fifth consecutive quality start. Toronto was only able to get to Ohtani in the fourth inning, with its runs coming on a Teoscar Hernandez RBI single and a Randal Grichuk run-scoring double. At the dish, Ohtani drilled his Major League-leading 68th extra-base hit of the year with a leadoff double off the center-field wall in the first. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start on the mound next week at Detroit.

Reyes has gone 0-for-13 with four walks in his last four games.

Reyes was hot prior to sitting out last Friday's game versus the Tigers. Since then, the designated hitter has seen his average tumble from .275 to .261 during the slump. He's still carrying an .873 OPS with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases through 286 plate appearances. The 26-year-old has also gone 12 games without a homer, but it's tough to keep the slugger quiet for long.