MLB Player News

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Wednesday that Sanchez was initially expected to miss 12 weeks with his left calf strain, but the veteran catcher could make his return from the 10-day injured list in as few as six weeks, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.

The 31-year-old landed on the shelf in late June, though there was no inkling at the time he was dealing with an especially serious injury. Murphy didn't provide a precise target date for Sanchez's return, but at the very least, he shouldn't be expected back prior to the All-Star break.

Soler (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Soler was scratched from Tuesday's starting nine due to an illness and will remain on the bench again for Wednesday's contest. Patrick Bailey will rest his legs as San Francisco's designated hitter while Curt Casali receives a start behind the plate.

Reds manager David Bell said Wednesday that Martini will likely be out until September after undergoing surgery to repair ligament damage in his left thumb, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Martini landed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with the injury and has opted to have it surgically repaired. He's expected to come off the IL before the end of the season, but a precise target date for his return won't become clear until he's able to begin a minor-league rehab assignment.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati.

The lefty-hitting Blackmon sat out Tuesday's 12-6 loss with a lefty (Nick Lodolo) on the mound, but it's a bit more surprising that he's on the bench again Wednesday while right-hander Frankie Montas takes the hill for Cincinnati. The Rockies will give Brenton Doyle a start at designated hitter in Blackmon's stead while Sam Hilliard patrols center field.

Ohtani went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base Tuesday in a loss to the Phillies.

The Dodgers were routed in the matchup, so Ohtani got a few innings off after he was pinch-hit for in the seventh inning. Nonetheless, the slugger reached base twice and extended to three a streak of games with at least one steal. Ohtani is putting together an MVP-caliber campaign in his first year with the Dodgers -- he ranks first in the NL in homers (28) and runs (72), and is tied for third in RBI (65) and thefts (21). He also leads the National League and ranks second in MLB with a 1.037 OPS.

Soler was scratched from the Giants' lineup ahead of Tuesday's game versus Toronto due to an illness, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Soler may still be available off the bench Tuesday, but his sickness will ensure he begins the game in the dugout. In his absence, Thairo Estrada will move into the DH spot while Brett Wisely starts at second base, batting ninth.

McCutchen isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Tuesday's game versus Milwaukee, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

After going 1-for-10 with five strikeouts during Pittsburgh's last series against the Mets, McCutchen will get a breather for Tuesday's series opener. His absence will move Bryan Reynolds into the DH spot while Jack Suwinski, Michael Taylor and Joshua Palacios start across the outfield.

The Reds optioned Soto to Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Soto's latest stint in the majors lasted just a couple days and he didn't appear in a game. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Austin Slater, who was acquired via trade from the Giants over the weekend and officially reported Tuesday.

The Phillies reinstated Schwarber (groin) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Just as manager Rob Thomson suggested over the weekend would be the case, Schwarber will return to the 26-man active roster ahead of Tuesday's series opener against the Dodgers. He'll likely slot back in atop the Philadelphia lineup as the team's designated hitter Tuesday against Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller.

Blackmon is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.

Tough southpaw Nick Lodolo is starting the game for the Reds, so the left-handed hitting Blackmon will grab a seat. Hunter Goodman will draw the start in right field for the Rockies, while Elias Diaz serves as the designated hitter.