MLB Player News

Martini will start at designated hitter and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Cardinals.

He'll stick in the starting nine for the fourth game in a row after getting on base five times in 12 plate appearances in the last three contests. With center fielder TJ Friedl (thumb) returning from the injured list Wednesday, the Reds are notably keeping Martini in the lineup over Jacob Hurtubise, who had been handling an everyday role for most of the two-and-a-half-week period that Friedl was sidelined.

The Reds designated Ford for assignment Wednesday.

Ford signed a one-year, $1.3 million contract just three weeks ago but will exit the 40-man roster after going just 9-for-60 (.150) at the plate. The 31-year-old will undoubtedly clear waivers and could remain in the organization, as declining an outright assignment would mean forfeiting the remainder of his salary.

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Nationals.

The veteran slugger broke open a scoreless tie when he took Jacob Barnes deep in the seventh inning, continuing his most recent hit streak. Ozuna has reached base safely in 21 straight games, a stretch in which he's slashing .324/.409/.662 with seven homers and 16 RBI.

Langford served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-3 in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Arizona.

Langford was activated from the 10-day injured list and played for the first time since May 4. His activation to the roster came at the expense of left fielder Evan Carter (back), who went on the IL, but Langford was eased in as the DH while Travis Jankowski handled left field.

Manzardo went 3-for-5 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Tuesday's 13-7 win over the Rockies.

Manzardo has hit safely in eight of his last nine games, and he has an extra-base hit in six of those contests. The top prospect is at a .236/.276/.382 slash line with no home runs, four RBI, four runs scored and eight doubles over 58 plate appearances. He's had some struggles adjusting to major-league pitching with a 2:17 BB:K over his first 18 games. Manzardo may be running out of time to make an impression, as the Guardians will need to make a corresponding move to activate Steven Kwan (hamstring) from the injured list later in the week.

Calhoun isn't in the Angels' lineup Tuesday versus the Yankees.

With southpaw Nestor Cortes set to pitch for New York, the lefty-hitting Calhoun will step out of the lineup in favor of Cole Tucker, who will bat eighth while serving as the Angels' DH.

Smith elected to become a free agent Tuesday.

Smith has not registered a big-league plate appearance this season despite enjoying two separate stints with the Yankees. Rather than returning to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on an outright assignment, he'll look to secure a deal elsewhere in free agency. The 27-year-old owns a mere .516 OPS during his major-league career, so it's unlikely he nets anything more than another minor-league deal.

Martinez isn't in the Mets' lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Dodgers, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

After a 1-for-4 effort in Game 1, Martinez will get a breather to conclude Tuesday's activities. DJ Stewart will instead get the nod as New York's DH and bat fourth.

Ohtani isn't in the Dodgers' lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Mets, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.

The Dodgers were planning on giving Ohtani the evening off heading into Tuesday's twin bill, so he'll sit in the dugout after an 0-for-5 performance during Game 1. Will Smith will instead serve as Los Angeles' designated hitter, allowing Austin Barnes to start behind the plate.

The Rangers activated Langford (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old has been on the shelf more than three weeks due to a hamstring injury but will rejoin the Rangers after a three-game rehab stint with Triple-A Round Rock. Langford was struggling offensively before going on the injured list, as he was in the midst of a 3-for-28 slump. Evan Carter (back) was moved to the 10-day IL in a corresponding move.