MLB Player News
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: Getting checked for oblique strain
Manager Carlos Mendoza said Sunday after the Mets' 6-5 loss to the Cardinals in the first game of a doubleheader that Winker (side) will undergo an MRI, Andrew Tredinnick of The Bergen Record reports.
Winker walked and delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in his two plate appearances in Game 1 before being pulled from the contest prior to the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort. Mendoza noted that Winker -- who suffered the injury while throwing to home plate in the bottom of the third inning -- will be sent in for tests as the Mets look to determine whether he suffered an oblique strain. Winker won't be available for the second game of the twin bill Sunday, and his availability for the Mets' three-game series in Arizona that begins Monday also seems to be in doubt.
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Josh Bell DH | MIN
Nationals' Josh Bell: Out of lineup again Sunday
Bell (groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Bell will sit for a second straight game due to a groin issue. The veteran slugger didn't see any action Saturday but was reportedly available to pinch hit, so he'll presumably be available in that capacity Sunday.
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Mets' Jesse Winker: Leaves with side tightness
Winker was lifted from the first game of Sunday's doubleheader with the Cardinals ahead of the bottom of the fourth inning due to right side discomfort, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Winker drew a walk in the first inning and hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the third, but it's unclear if he picked up the injury on any of his swings or while he was playing defense in left field. Regardless, Winker will be on the bench for the rest of the matinee, and his availability for the nightcap would seem to be in doubt. Jeff McNeil shifted from second base to left field in the bottom of the fourth upon Winker's removal from the game.
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Pavin Smith RF | ARI
Diamondbacks' Pavin Smith: Taking seat against lefty
Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.
Platoon mate Randal Grichuk will replace Smith as the Diamondbacks' designated hitter while the Phillies send southpaw Ranger Suarez to the bump. Smith has logged just eight plate appearances against lefties all season.
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Andrew McCutchen DH | PIT
Pirates' Andrew McCutchen: Resting up Sunday
McCutchen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.
McCutchen will receive a breather after serving as Pittsburgh's designated hitter for 12 straight games, slashing .298/.377/.511 during that stretch. The Pirates will give Joey Bart a day off from catching and deploy him as the DH in place of McCutchen.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Improving, sitting again Sunday
Alvarez (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, though manager Joe Espada said the slugger is feeling better and isn't expected to require medical imaging, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.
Alvarez was scratched from Saturday's starting nine due to inflammation in his right hand, and he'll sit for a second consecutive game in Chicago. The 27-year-old doesn't appear to be dealing with a serious injury, though the fact medical imaging hasn't been completely ruled out could indicate Alvarez will miss another game or two after Sunday.
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Ben Rice 1B | NYY
Yankees' Ben Rice: Bowing out of lineup Sunday
Rice is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.
After starting each of the last four games while going 4-for-17 with two solo home runs, a double and two additional runs, Rice looks to be getting a routine breather for the series finale versus Tampa Bay. Rice's absence from the lineup will open up a spot in the starting nine for Trent Grisham, who will cover center field while Cody Bellinger slides over to right field and Aaron Judge serves as the Yankees' designated hitter.
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Spencer Steer 1B | CIN
Reds' Spencer Steer: Thriving since return to field
Steer went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 11-6 loss to Washington.
He struggled at the beginning of the season while able to serve only as a designated hitter due to a shoulder issue, but since Steer has been cleared for defensive duties, his bat has come alive. Prior to April 20, Steer had a .390 OPS with three RBI over 15 games. Since then, he has an .851 OPS with eight RBI over 12 games.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani: Goes deep in three-hit effort
Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two additional runs and a walk in a 10-3 win against Atlanta on Saturday.
Ohtani broke a 1-1 tie with a 415-foot solo homer to center field in the third inning. He reached base three other times in the rout and pushed his league-leading runs-scored total to 35. Ohtani's role as Los Angeles' leadoff hitter has been a factor in his accumulation of just 11 RBI so far this season, but the two-way star has otherwise been excellent with a .293/.396/.569 slash line while maintaining a 40-40 pace with eight homers and nine stolen bases through 31 games.