MLB Player News

Blackmon (hand) turned in full workouts on the field Monday and Tuesday and could soon be cleared to begin a rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

Blackmon, who has been on the injured list since June 11 with a fractured right hand, was expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 1, but the Rockies nixed those plans after the 37-year-old acknowledged that he was experiencing some lingering discomfort. The setback was considered a minor one, and Blackmon's ability to perform full baseball activities less than a week later suggests his rehab program is back on track. Expect the Rockies to provide an update on Blackmon's next steps within the next couple of days.

Winker (back) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Wisconsin next week, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Winker has been on the shelf since late July due to back spasms. While it sounds like he should be able to return to the Brewers before long, he might not have much of a role with the big club at this point amidst another injury-shortened, disappointing season.

Martinez flew to Los Angeles late Tuesday and is set to undergo an MRI on his left hamstring/groin issue, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers aren't yet planning on placing Martinez on the 10-day injured list, but he can safely be ruled out for Wednesday's series finale in Arizona while he's back in Los Angeles getting checked out. According to Plunkett, Martinez is expected to receive a cortisone injection for the troublesome hamstring, and if the veteran slugger responds well to the shot, he could have a chance at returning to the lineup at some point during this weekend's four-game home series with the Rockies. Max Muncy will likely continue to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter while Martinez is out of the lineup, opening up third base for either Chris Taylor or Enrique Hernandez.

Meneses went 2-for-5 with two home runs and three RBI in the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Phillies.

With the Nationals facing a 4-2 deficit in the seventh inning, Meneses took matters into his own hands, launching a two-run blast to left-center field off Jeff Hoffman before clubbing a game-winning solo shot off Craig Kimbrel in the top of the ninth. Meneses has gone yard four times in the last eight games, continuing a surge that started when the calendar flipped to July -- over his last 31 games, the 31-year-old is slashing .273/.326/.545 with nine of his 11 homers on the season.

Soler went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Tuesday's 3-2 win over Cincinnati.

Soler put the Marlins ahead 3-2 with a two-run homer off Lucas Sims in the seventh inning, the decisive blow in Miami's one-run victory. Soler now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games -- he's gone 13-for-43 (.302) with four long balls in that span. Overall, the 31-year-old slugger is slashing .246/.337/.502 with 28 homers, 62 runs scored and 62 RBI across 406 plate appearances this season.

Martinez was scratched from the Dodgers' lineup Tuesday against Arizona due to a hamstring injury, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez is reportedly dealing with the same issue in his hamstring that has caused him to miss a significant amount of time recently. The Dodgers will run some tests and should provide more information in the near future, but Martinez should be considered day-to-day for the time being. Enrique Hernandez will enter Los Angeles' lineup in Martinez's place Tuesday.

Choi isn't in the Padres' lineup Tuesday against Seattle, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Choi has yet to record a hit through four games (11 plate appearances) as a Padre, so he'll get a day off Tuesday to regroup. Jake Cronenworth will start at first base and Garrett Cooper will serve as San Diego's designated hitter while Choi sits.

Soler is serving as the DH and batting leadoff Tuesday at Cincinnati.

Luis Arraez will slide down to the second spot in the Marlins' batting order as Soler gets his first leadoff look in 2023. He belted his 27th homer of the season in Monday's series opener against the Reds and carries an .822 OPS across 462 plate appearances.

Encarnacion-Strand batted cleanup and went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run in Monday's 5-2 win over the Marlins.

Encarnacion-Strand homered to lead off the fourth inning, providing what turned out to be the winning run. The blast snapped a 17-game homer-less drought. He's hit safely in six of the last eight contests, going 9-for-29 (.310) with two doubles, one homer, four RBI and four runs.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Angels.

Pederson will join fellow left-handed hitters Brandon Crawford and LaMonte Wade on the bench while the Giants stock up on some extra right-handed bats to counter Angels southpaw Patrick Sandoval. Austin Slater will check in for Pederson in left field and bat leadoff.