MLB Player News

Morel went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in Friday's 10-1 win over Cleveland.

Morel narrowly missed a three-run homer in the fourth, which ended up being a sacrifice fly to left field, but he crushed a no-doubter to center in the sixth, tying him with Patrick Wisdom (wrist) for the team lead with 14 long balls. Since an 0-for-21 stretch, the 24-year-old appears to have found his groove again and is slashing 297/.329/.594 with five home runs, 18 RBI and 12 runs scored over his last 17 games.

Lewis was called up from Triple-A Reno on Friday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.

Lewis will return to the majors for the first time since early April after posting a .308/.402/.548 slash line with six homers over 26 games with Reno. The 28-year-old will look to maintain that success in the big leagues, and he'll replace Pavin Smith on the major-league roster after the latter was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Winker isn't in the Brewers' lineup Friday against the Pirates.

Winker has slowly begun to turn things around, going 4-for-11 with two RBI and a run scored during Milwaukee's last series against the Mets. He'll get a breather for Friday's series opener while Christian Yelich steps in as the Brewers' DH, moving Blake Perkins into left field. Raimel Tapia will start in right while batting ninth.

Blackmon (hand) said Friday that he expects to wear a cast for two more weeks, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.

Blackmon had indicated a couple weeks ago that he thought he could beat his initial timetable of a late July return, but it now it doesn't sound like that will happen. The veteran suffered a fractured right hand in mid-June.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggested Friday that Harper could see action at first base before the All-Star break, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper has been limited to DH duties following a swifter than expected return in early May from Tommy John surgery, but he's been getting pregame reps at first base and is about ready to make his defensive debut at the position. The two-time NL MVP has never made a start at first base at any level of pro ball, but if he's able to handle the assignment it will greatly help Thomson's game-to-game lineup construction, and the additional eligibility would be a welcome boost to Harper's fantasy profile.

Martinez went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-3 win over the Rockies.

Martinez led the Dodgers, accounting for four of their 18 hits in the blowout win. The designated hitter's biggest contribution was a two-run blast in the fourth inning to put the visitors in control. He's gone 14-for-46 (.304) over his last 11 games. The 35-year-old is up to a .267/.310/.586 slash line, 19 homers, 55 RBI, 37 runs scored and a stolen base through 64 contests on the year.

Pederson is playing left field and batting third Thursday versus the Blue Jays.

Pederson has been pressed into outfield duty for the first time this season after Michael Conforto was forced from Wednesday's game due to left hamstring tightness. Patrick Bailey is serving as the Giants' designated hitter Thursday and Blake Sabol will start behind the plate.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates.

Carpenter started Wednesday's game after being on the bench for eight straight, but he's now riding the pine again Thursday even with the Pirates starting a righty (Luis Ortiz). After putting up a .908 OPS in April, the 37-year-old has just a .497 OPS and 33 percent strikeout rate in the two months since. Because Carpenter doesn't provide value with the glove and has been in a deep slump at the plate for a while, his roster spot wouldn't seem to be secure at this point.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup Wednesday versus the Brewers.

Mark Canha will serve as the Mets' designated hitter with left-hander Wade Miley taking the mound for Milwaukee. Vogelbach is 0-for-9 in very limited action this year versus southpaws.

Meneses is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Meneses will take a day of physical and mental rest after going 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Tuesday. Keibert Ruiz is serving as the Nationals' designated hitter Wednesday and Riley Adams will start behind the plate.