MLB Player News

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers.

Ryan O'Hearn will get the nod at designated hitter Wednesday after Ozuna filled that spot in the lineup the previous two games while going 1-for-7 with four strikeouts. After signing a one-year, $12 million deal in February, Ozuna has been a major disappointment so far for the Pirates. He's striking out at a career-high 29.1 percent clip and has posted a .580 OPS through 50 games, a bottom-five mark among players who have logged at least 200 plate appearances.

Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

Melendez had started in four of the team's previous five matchups with right-handed pitchers, but the Mets won't have room for him in the lineup Wednesday while Francisco Alvarez handles designated-hitter duties in his second game back from the IL. Since the start of May, Melendez has posted a weak .533 OPS, so he likely still has more work to do in order to strengthen his grasp on a regular lineup sot.

Andujar (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Andujar was forced to depart Sunday's game versus the Mets after tweaking his hamstring, and he's now missed all three starts in the Padres' series against the Reds. The Padres have a team off day Thursday and could make a decision on a potential IL stint for Andujar before Friday's contest in Baltimore. Will Wagner is filling in at designated hitter Wednesday.

Herrera went 3-for-3 with a double and three runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Mets.

Herrera was hit by a Freddy Peralta pitch in both of his first two trips to the plate before later adding two singles and a double. The 26-year-old's hard-hit rate, barrel rate and average exit velocity are all down year-over-year. However, Herrera boasts a 12 percent walk rate and a 16.5 percent strikeout rate, and he is on pace to score more than 100 runs.

Eldridge went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a double and two walks in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Nationals.

Eldridge tacked on a ninth-inning long ball to put a bow on a good individual performance, though it wasn't enough for the Giants. The 21-year-old has really come around with steady playing time lately, going 19-for-43 (.442) over his last 12 contests. He's batting .300 with an .885 OPS, three homers, eight RBI, 15 runs scored, eight doubles and no stolen bases over 104 plate appearances. As long as Casey Schmitt is filling a full-time role in left field to cover the absence of Heliot Ramos (quadriceps), there's room for Eldridge in the lineup on a near-everyday basis as well. At this point, Eldridge has hit well enough to make it tough to sit him.

Andujar (hamstring) isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.

Andujar will miss a second consecutive start Tuesday after leaving Sunday's game early due to a hamstring injury. His absence will allow Will Wagner to bat fifth while working as San Diego's designated hitter.

The Cubs optioned Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 23-year-old outfielder will lose his place on the active roster to make room for Matt Shaw's return from the injured list. Alcantara owns a .906 OPS across 180 plate appearances in the minors, but he's gone just 1-for-9 with a walk and four strikeouts in 12 games at the major-league level this year.

Thompson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.

Thompson will hit the bench for a third straight game, with two of his absences during that span coming against right-handed starting pitchers. Since being promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque on May 22, Thompson has gotten on base at a strong .364 clip, but he's hit for little power (.297 slugging percentage) over 15 games. The Rockies seem to be prioritizing Edouard Julien ahead of Thompson for the final spot in their lineup, so it wouldn't be surprising if Thompson were sent back to Albuquerque in the near future while his playing time continues to slip.

Eldridge went 2-for-5 with an RBI double and a run scored in Monday's 4-3 loss to the Nationals.

Eldridge singled in the sixth inning and later hit an RBI double in the eighth before coming around to score. The 21-year-old has reached base safely in each of his last 15 appearances, batting .392 with 13 runs scored, five RBI, one home run and an 8:11 BB:K in 60 plate appearances during that span. Overall, he's slashing .287/.364/.448 with 14 runs scored, seven RBI and two long balls across 99 plate appearances this season.

Andujar (hamstring) is not in the Padres' starting lineup against the Reds on Monday.

Andujar tweaked his hamstring during the seventh inning of Sunday's game against the Mets. He'll be out of the lineup for at least one game but could be available to pinch hit for Monday's game, per Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Gavin Sheets will as the Padres' designated hitter in Andujar's absence.