MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs in Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Mariners.

Alvarez walked and scored in the fourth frame before later launching a two-run homer off Ryan Borucki in the bottom of the eighth inning. The long ball was his 17th of the year and third in his last five games. The 24-year-old has now notched at least one hit in eight of his last nine contests, going 16-for-34 with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 runs over that stretch. Alvarez is now batting .289 with 17 home runs, 36 RBI and 37 runs over 180 at-bats in 50 games this season.

Collins was called up by the Blue Jays on Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Collins appeared in 20 games earlier in the year, showing a bit of power but not much else, as he hit .194/.278/.387 while striking out 40.6 percent of the time. With Danny Jansen out with a broken hand, Collins will return to serve as Alejandro Kirk's backup behind the plate.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cardinals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With Wander Franco (quadriceps) recently joining Brandon Lowe (back) on the 10-day injured list, more reps have indirectly opened up for Ramirez, who was included in the lineup in four of the past six games. The Rays may take a rotation approach to the designated-hitter spot, but Ramirez still looks in good position to occupy that spot in most games until the team reclaims some health.

Alvarez went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, a triple and three runs scored in Sunday's 7-4 win over the Royals.

Alvarez continues to rack up hits at a rapid rate -- he's 17-for-35 (.486) in his last nine games with six extra-base hits in that span. He came up a double shy of the cycle Sunday, which was his second three-hit effort in his last three games. For the season, he's batting .295 with a 1.015 OPS while adding 16 homers, 34 RBI, 35 runs scored, five doubles and two triples through 201 plate appearances.

Jimenez (hamstring) is still working on building up his lower-body strength at Triple-A Charlotte before being activated, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

He has been serving as the designated hitter through four rehab games, going 4-for-13, but he is starting in left field Sunday. Manager Tony La Russa said Jimenez's legs aren't ready yet. It was reported that he could be activated during this upcoming homestand that runs Tuesday through Sunday, and that still seems possible, but it probably wouldn't come until midway through the homestand at the earliest.

Martinez is not in Sunday's lineup against the Athletics, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez is hitting .308 with zero home runs and 10 runs scored over his last 10 games. Jarren Duran, who may be up only while Jackie Bradley is on the paternity list, is getting the start at designated hitter.

Brantley is not in Sunday's lineup against the Royals.

Brantley is hitting .229 with zero home runs and one steal over his last 10 games. Mauricio Dubon will start in center field with Chas McCormick moving to left.

Buxton is not in Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

He continues to get strategic rest days once or twice per week. Buxton went through a frigid stretch at the dish in the middle of May, but he is hitting .300 with one home run over his last five games. Gilberto Celestino will start in center field and bat seventh.

Stanton is not in Sunday's lineup against the Tigers.

He was activated from the injured list Saturday and went 1-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts. It's not surprising for the Yankees to ease Stanton back into the mix, especially given the 11:35 AM start time for this one.

Winker went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and a pair of walks in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rangers.

Winker has done alright in the leadoff role, going 6-for-26 (.231) with six walks, a homer and a pair of doubles in seven games since replacing Adam Frazier atop the lineup. The long ball Saturday was Winker's first since May 14, and he only had four doubles between those homers. The power has been lacking for the outfielder in his first year with the Mariners -- he's slugging just .314 in 52 contests. He's up to three homers, 21 RBI, 16 runs scored and nine doubles for the season.