MLB Player News

Martinez was placed on the 10-day injured list by the Dodgers on Friday, retroactive to April 25, with lower back tightness, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

Martinez was unable to return to the lineup again Friday, and the Dodgers instead will place the veteran designated hitter on the injured list to get him right. Will Smith was activated off the injured list and will be the designated hitter against the Cardinals with Martinez out. It seems likely that the 35-year-old should require a minimal stint on the injured list at this point.

Martinez (back) will try to swing in the batting cage Friday, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

If that workout doesn't go well, Martinez might be headed to the injured list. He hasn't appeared in a game for the Dodgers since last Sunday due to discomfort on the left side of his lower back, and he said the flight back from Pittsburgh on Thursday didn't help matters. Will Smith is expected to come off the concussion IL and serve as the designated hitter in Friday night's series opener against the visiting Cardinals.

Harper (elbow) hit on the field with his Phillies teammates Friday in Houston, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper will do that again Sunday ahead of what will be a crucial follow-up appointment with Dr. Neal ElAttrache early next week in Los Angeles. ElAttrache performed Tommy John surgery on Harper last November, and the current belief is that the 30-year-old slugger might be cleared to return as the Phillies' designated hitter as early as next weekend if all parties involved feel it's a safe idea. The initial expectation at the time of his reconstructive elbow procedure was that Harper would be sidelined until the All-Star break.

Winker isn't starting Friday against the Angels.

Winker holds a .699 OPS against lefties since 2021, so he will begin Friday's contest in the dugout against Tyler Anderson. Rowdy Tellez will instead serve as Milwaukee's designated hitter, allowing Luke Voit to start at first base and bat sixth.

Torrens was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 26-year-old backstop put together a .618 OPS across 22 plate appearances and becomes a roster casualty following the reinstatement of Cody Bellinger from the paternity list Friday. Torrens could draw interest from teams in search of organizational depth behind the plate.

Vogelbach isn't starting Friday against Atlanta.

Atlanta will begin the game with the left-handed Max Fried on the bump, so the left-handed bat of Vogelbach will sit out Friday's contest. Mark Canha will instead serve as the Mets' DH, and Tommy Pham will start in left field while batting seventh.

Martinez (back) isn't expected to return to the lineup Friday versus the Cardinals, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Martinez is in line to miss a fourth consecutive game while he continues to experience discomfort on the left side of his lower back. It's possible he will undergo an MRI, at which point the team would have a better idea as to when he might be ready to play again. Will Smith (concussion) is expected to come off the 7-day injured list to serve as the club's designated hitter Friday.

McCutchen went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal in Thursday's 6-2 win over the Dodgers.

McCutchen is already halfway to his total of eight stolen bases from last season, when he needed 134 games to get there. The veteran outfielder has hit safely in four straight games, going 4-for-16 with a home run and four RBI in that span. McCutchen has gotten off to a nice start in his return to Pittsburgh. He's now slashing .272/.371/.506 with five homers, 13 RBI and 14 runs scored through 97 plate appearances.

Solak was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Friday.

Solak was up only for a few days and didn't receive a plate appearance. He'll head back to Gwinnett and wait for another call.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Martinez (back) hasn't been able to swing a bat in the last few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Martinez is out of the lineup for the third straight game Thursday at Pittsburgh, and Roberts told reporters that an MRI might be in the works once the team returns to Los Angeles. The veteran designated hitter began feeling tightness on the left side of his lower back in Sunday's series finale against the Cubs. If he doesn't show improvement by Friday, an IL stint may be necessary. Michael Busch could then remain with the club through Max Muncy's return from paternity leave.