MLB Player News

Turner (wrist) is expected to be sent on a rehab assignment over the weekend, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Dodgers are getting close to having two established veterans back with the club as Turner and Logan Forsythe (shoulder) are ready for rehab assignments. Turner has been sidelined since spring training due to a broken wrist, so his return should bring a spark to the Dodgers' lineup. Given the length of his absence, Turner will likely need multiple rehab games before being activated. Max Muncy and Kyle Farmer will continue to split time at third base in the meantime.

Buxton (toe) was activated from the 10-day disabled list Thursday and is in the starting lineup against the Angels.

The 24-year-old originally landed on the disabled list back on April 18 with migraines, but suffered a hairline fracture in his toe while on a minor-league rehab assignment which ultimately extended his absence. Buxton was able to do a range of running drills earlier in the week with no issues, so the Twins opted to activate him without sending him back out on another rehab assignment. He'll immediately reclaim his role as the team's primary center fielder. Buxton, who was hitting just .195/.233/.244 before landing on the shelf, will face right-hander Garrett Richards in his first game back.

Cespedes sat out of Wednesday's game due to a sore right quad, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reports.

The slugging outfielder missed time earlier in the week due to the same kind of injury, so it seems like things haven't completely healed on that front. With Thursday's off-day, Cespedes hopes to only miss one game of action, though he should be considered day-to-day heading into Friday's matchup with the Phillies. Brandon Nimmo should see an increased role if Cespedes is unable to play Friday.

McCutchen is not in the lineup against the Phillies on Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

McCutchen has gone 8-for-20 (.400 average) with one RBI over the past six games and will head to the bench for Thursday's matinee series finale in Philadelphia. Gregor Blanco will start in right field while Brandon Belt draws a start in left. Expect McCutchen back in the lineup Friday for his return to Pittsburgh.

Turner (wrist) is hoping to return from the disabled list during next week's series against the Nationals, which begins Friday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Turner was originally hoping to return during next week's series against the Marlins, which begins Tuesday, but he told David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports that he still needs to check off a couple of boxes before being activated, so the following series against the Nationals now seems to be a more likely return date. He took swings during a simulated game Wednesday and plans to do the same Thursday. In the meantime, Max Muncy and Kyle Farmer will continue to platoon at third base.

Harper is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Harper is hitless over his last 19 at-bats, so he'll head to the bench for his first breather of the season while Moises Sierra picks up a start in right field. Despite the slump, the 25-year-old is still hitting .230/.410/.541 with 12 homers and four stolen bases through 37 games this season. Look for him to rejoin the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Diamondbacks.

Jimenez appears to be on track for a promotion to Triple-A before the All-Star break, Adam Hoge of WGN Radio reports. "Traditionally you tend not to do too many promotions before the halfway mark," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Certainly the way Eloy has performed thus far, might require an adjustment here in the coming weeks."

The White Sox weren't going to skip Jimenez over Triple-A, so he needs to get that promotion before he can be on the verge of a promotion to the majors. The slugging phenom is hitting .409 with four home runs over his last 10 games -- a hot streak that has prompted this conversation. On the season, he is hitting .333/.357/.679 with seven home runs and a 13:4 K:BB in 78 at-bats with Double-A Birmingham. Assuming Jimenez stays healthy, he will undoubtedly be deserving of a big-league promotion sometime this summer, but it will come down to whether the White Sox are willing to sacrifice an extra year of control or if they are intent on maximizing his at-bats in a White Sox uniform by holding him down until April 2019.

Ohtani will make his next start Sunday against the Twins, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

While he managed a mild ankle sprain, Ohtani went 11 days between starts before taking the mound last Sunday in Seattle, tossing six innings of two-run ball in a win over the Mariners. After escaping that outing without any health concerns, Ohtani will resume pitching on his normal six days' rest schedule, as expected. Expect the Angels to use Ohtani as their designated hitter Thursday and Friday against the Twins before holding him out of the lineup Saturday in advance of the pitching start.

Cespedes is out of the lineup against the Reds on Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Cespedes will retreat to the bench following two straight starts to open this series after suffering a minor right quadriceps injury during Sunday's game versus Colorado. This seems to be a standard day off in order to keep the outfielder fresh moving forward. In his place, Michael Conforto will start in left field and Brandon Nimmo will start in center.

Soler was 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored, three RBI and a walk in the Royals' 15-7 win over the Orioles on Tuesday.

Soler started the scoring with a two-run home run in the top of the first inning as the Royals scored 10 in the frame. The 26-year-old may have broken his 10-game hitting streak Saturday, but is 5-for-7 over the last two games. Overall, Soler has an impressive .324/.436/.546 slash line and features a walk rate over 15 percent.