MLB Player News

Blackmon went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run in Monday's 6-4 win over Arizona.

Blackmon returned after a two-month absence necessitated by a fracture in his right hand. The veteran didn't show any signs of rust, reaching base three times from the leadoff spot. One of his hits was an infield single leading off the eighth inning that sparked a four-run frame in the come-from-behind victory. Blackmon began the game as the Rockies' designated hitter before moving into right field in the ninth. He'll likely work as the team's DH most games moving forward.

Choi will be placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left rib strain, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Choi did not start either Saturday or Sunday, and it is now evident that his absence was related to injury and not performance. Garrett Cooper gets the start at designated hitter in his place.

Lewis was recalled Monday from Triple-A Reno, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Lewis has mostly struggled this season at the major-league level, but he boasts a .361/.463/.650 batting line with 14 homers and 56 RBI in 47 games for Reno, and he'd been on a tear on the farm over the last few weeks. Jake McCarthy was optioned out in a corresponding roster move as the quickly-fading Diamondbacks try to ride the hot hand.

Colorado activated Blackmon (hand) from the 10-day injured list Monday, Kelsey Wingert-Linch of AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain reports.

Blackmon will serve as the Rockies' designated hitter and leadoff man Monday against the Diamondbacks following a two-month absence to heal a fracture in his right hand. The 37-year-old had slashed .265/.347/.422 with five homers and 26 RBI in 56 games before the injury. Cole Tucker was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Monday in a corresponding roster move.

McCutchen is not in the lineup Monday against the Mets.

Bryan Reynolds is taking a turn as the Pirates' designated hitter as Connor Joe, Jack Suwinski and Henry Davis start across the outfield. McCutchen played both halves of Sunday's doubleheader against the Reds and went 0-for-7 with two walks and two strikeouts.

Baker is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter and batting eighth Monday versus the Athletics.

This will be Baker's first major-league game since he was recalled Saturday from Triple-A Memphis. The 26-year-old has struggled in limited action this season at baseball's highest level, but he's posted a tremendous .3334/.440/.720 batting line with 33 homers and 98 RBI across 84 games in the International League. Maybe he can carve out more playing time down the stretch on an out-of-contention St. Louis club, but there are a lot of mouths to feed in the DH role.

Choi isn't starting Sunday against the Diamondbacks.

Choi's recent offensive struggles have made the Padres more willing to use other players from their lineup in the DH spot, which is exactly what they will do Sunday. Xander Bogaerts will serve as San Diego's designated hitter, moving Ha-Seong Kim to shortstop, Jake Cronenworth to second and Garrett Cooper in at first base.

Encarnacion-Strand (hand) is hitting sixth and starting at designated hitter in Game 1 of Sunday's doubleheader against the Pirates.

Encarnacion-Strand was hit by a pitch Friday and removed from the game. X-rays were negative, but he was still held out Saturday. Encarnacion-Strand is hitting .286 with two home runs, four runs and six RBI over his last 10 games.

Soler is out of the lineup Sunday against the Yankees.

Soler is not in Miami's lineup for the second consecutive game. This comes after he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts against the Yankees on Friday. What appeared to be a breather Saturday may be a little more. Josh Bell will start in the designated hitter spot again and Yuli Gurriel will start at first.

Martinez (hamstring) will sit Sunday, though he will be available to pinch hit, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts said following Saturday's 4-1 victory that Martinez will not start Sunday, and the expectation is the veteran slugger will return to the lineup Tuesday against the Brewers after Monday's team off day. Martinez last started a game this past Sunday versus San Diego.