MLB Player News

Martinez (back) will DH and bat third against the White Sox on Saturday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

As expected, Martinez is back in the starting lineup after sitting Friday due to back tightness. Manager Alex Cora confirmed that he isn't concerned over Martinez's status moving forward, so continue to expect huge production out of the slugger.

Buxton (toe) is scheduled to participate in some baseball activities Saturday, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton is expected to hit off a tee after using a low-gravity treadmill Friday. This is the first time he'll take part in baseball activities since being placed on the disabled list, although the timetable for his return is still quite murky.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Mets.

Stanton took reliever Paul Sewald deep in the ninth inning for his 15th homer on the season and his fourth long ball through seven games in June. Stanton has recorded a hit in six consecutive games, and is currently slashing .251/.328/.502 with 27 extra-base hits. While the 28-year-old has an above-average OPS at .830 (ranking just outside the top 25 in the AL), it's quite a bit below his career mark of .909.

Blackmon went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Colorado's 9-4 loss to the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Blackmon hadn't left the yard since May 18, but he was able to dispatch of the brief lull with this fifth-inning solo blast off Zack Greinke. He had been hitting well lately despite the lack of power, as he's bagged six multi-hit games in his last eight contests. Overall, Blackmon is enjoying another fine season at the plate, as he's slashing a terrific .288/.369/.515 over 233 at-bats.

Harper went 1-for-5 with two RBI in Friday's loss to the Giants.

Harper knocked in a pair of runs in the fifth inning with a single to right field, cutting the Giants' lead to two. He's struggled to hit for average through 61 games this season (.228), although he's smashed 18 home runs and driven in 42. Harper has yet to hit a home run in the month of June.

Soler left Friday's game against the Athletics with a bruised "left great toe," Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

Soler's X-rays came back negative, so he'll be listed as day-to-day moving forward. He'll likely be evaluated Saturday to determine his status for the rest of the Royals' weekend series with the A's.

Jimenez has missed the last two games for Double-A Birmingham after being drilled by a pitch on his side, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear when Jimenez will return to the lineup, and he'll be listed as day-to-day until the severity of the injury is determined. Through 44 games this season, he's batting .324 with 10 homers and 40 RBI.

Turner (wrist) is out of Friday's lineup against the Braves.

While Turner was able to enter Thursday's contest as a defensive substitute, it sounds like the team is not confident with the types of swings he is taking since returning from his wrist injury. He is hitting an uncharacteristically mediocre .243/.325/.343 since returning, and a disabled list stint has not been ruled out. Max Muncy will start at third base while Cody Bellinger gets the nod at first base.

Cespedes (hip) will begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton on Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

Cespedes will serve as designated hitter Friday and play the field Saturday for the Rumble Ponies before being re-evaluated. Earlier this week it was reported the 32-year-old wouldn't require a rehab stint, so if everything checks out after Saturday he could seemingly return to the Mets in short order.

Manager Alex Cora said Martinez (back) will return to the starting lineup for Saturday's game, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Although there's a chance that Martinez will not feel well enough to play Saturday, this is another positive sign that his back tightness is just a minor blip on the radar and nothing more after the 30-year-old was forced to exit Thursday's contest. Through 60 games this year, he's hitting a robust .314/.374/.646 with 20 home runs and 52 RBI.