MLB Player News

Martinez (back) remains out of the Dodgers' lineup for Thursday's game in Pittsburgh, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

It's the third straight start he's missed due to back tightness. Martinez is considered day-to-day and will look to get back in action Friday when the Dodgers return home to host the Cardinals. David Peralta is serving as the designated hitter Thursday, with Trayce Thompson in left field.

Encarnacion-Strand (back) has gone 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in three games since he was activated from Triple-A Louisville's 7-day injured list Sunday.

Though his back injury first cropped up in February, Encarnacion-Strand turned heads in the Cactus League while playing at less-than-optimal health before the Reds optioned him to minor-league camp in mid-March. Encarnacion-Strand's regular-season debut was delayed mainly for precautionary reasons while he dealt with a slight herniation in his back, but the 23-year-old should play on a near-everyday basis at Triple-A now that he's been activated. He won't strictly be limited to the designated-hitter role, either, as he's already made two of his three starts at first base.

Pederson isn't starting Wednesday against St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With the left-handed Steven Matz starting on the mound for the Cardinals, Pederson will begin Wednesday's contest in the dugout. Michael Conforto will instead serve as San Francisco's DH, opening up a spot for Austin Slater to start in center field and bat leadoff.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With a left-hander (Drew Smyly) on the mound, the lefty-hitting Carpenter will give way to his platoon mate at designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. Carpenter started each of the previous three games and accrued a home run, four doubles and six RBI over that stretch.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday's game that Martinez (back) could be available off the bench against the Pirates but it will depend on how he's feeling after pregame activities, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez is sitting out a second consecutive game while dealing with back tightness. If the veteran designated hitter isn't able to get into the lineup off the bench against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, there's a very good chance he is back in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Martinez (back) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Martinez will take a seat for a second straight day while he deals with back tightness. The hope was that the veteran designated hitter would require only one day off due to the injury, but the Dodgers will give him an extra day to recover. David Peralta will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday while Martinez sits again.

Vogelbach is on the bench versus lefty MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals on Wednesday.

The designated hitter has gone 5-for-13 with a double and two RBI during a four-game hitting streak. Tommy Pham fills in for Vogelbach as the DH for Wednesday's contest.

MuCutchen went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Dodgers.

His fourth-inning blast off Noah Syndergaard gave the Pirates a 7-2 lead, but the win slipped through the bullpen's grasp. McCutchen is proving that you can go home again after all -- through his first 21 games in his return to Pittsburgh, the veteran outfielder is slashing .270/.371/.527 with five homers, three steals, 12 runs and 12 RBI.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Guardians.

He led off the game with a solo shot, the 40th leadoff homer of his career. Blackmon doesn't have much power or speed left in his profile -- he's got two home runs and zero steals in 23 games to begin the season -- but he's still effective at the top of the lineup, slashing .274/.390/.417 through 100 plate appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Martinez is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game in Pittsburgh after experiencing back tightness following Sunday's 7-3 win over the Cubs, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times, Roberts said he's hopeful Martinez returns to the lineup Wednesday, but given the 35-year-old has a prior history of back trouble, one day off may not be enough for the issue to fully go away. With Martinez out of the lineup for the first time all season Tuesday, rookie Michael Busch is serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter.