MLB Player News

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Velazquez has been less and less of an everyday option for the Royals as the team continues to trot out lineups with Salvador Perez as first base, Vinnie Pasquantino at DH and Freddy Fermin behind the dish. Velazquez hasn't done much to warrant an everyday role after starting the season red hot, managing just one hit in his last 27 at-bats.

Florial is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Angels.

Florial will get a rare off day against a right-handed pitcher, with Jose Ramirez filling in at DH and Gabriel Arias playing third against the Angels' Jose Soriano. Time on the bench against RHP could become more common though, as Florial has stumbled to a .196 batting average and a 40.6 percent strikeout rate through 20 games and 64 plate appearances.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that Sanchez (hamstring) is not yet 100 percent but is "good to go" and will be available off the bench, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Eric Haase is on the Brewers' taxi squad just in case, but it doesn't appear at this point that the team plans to add him to the active roster. Sanchez had to be removed from Tuesday's game against the Rays with right hamstring tightness, but it sounds like he could pinch hit Friday, if needed.

Carpenter (oblique) has been sent to Double-A Springfield to begin a rehab assignment.

What would have been Carpenter's first rehab game was rained out Thursday, but he's been cleared for game action after missing the last month with a right oblique strain. It's not clear how many rehab at-bats the 38-year-old will need before being activated. Once he does return, he'll give the Cardinals another option at designated hitter.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Yoshida might require surgery on his injured left thumb, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Yoshida was placed on the injured list Wednesday with what has been termed a left thumb strain. Cora noted Thursday that the medical staff is still gathering information regarding the injury before a decision is made on next steps for Yoshida, but it appears surgery is one of the possibilities. More clarity on the designated hitter's status should be available by the weekend.

O'Hearn is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees.

The lefty-hitting O'Hearn will head to the bench for the series finale while the Yankees bring southpaw Carlos Rodon to the bump. Adley Rutschman will receive a day off behind the plate and will fill in for O'Hearn as the Orioles' designated hitter.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at designated hitter while Mervis sits for the second time in three games. Mervis has still started in seven of the Cubs' last 10 games overall, but he's gone just 3-for-23 with one walk over that stretch. The 26-year-old could soon be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Iowa if he doesn't turn things around in the near future.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.

Martinez has been given one day off in each of his first two series since joining the Mets as the club eases him back into action. That plan could continue for a bit longer before he assumes everyday duties at designated hitter. DJ Stewart will serve as the Mets' DH on Thursday.

Stanton is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Baltimore, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Stanton is getting Thursday off after he went 1-for-10 with a 3:2 K:BB in the first three games of the series. Aaron Judge will get a day out of the outfield and will replace Stanton as the Yankees' designated hitter.

Martini went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to San Diego.

Martini is hitless in 10 at-bats and 4-for-41 (.098) over the last 13 games. He's been a regular in the lineup against right-handers but is hitting just .170 against them.