MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand started at first base and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and was hit by a pitch in Sunday's 9-0 win over the Dodgers.

Luckily, the HBP was from position player Miguel Rojas, whose 56 mph eephus didn't do much damage. It was just Encarnacion-Strand's third time reaching base over the last 16 plate appearances. After a promising first week in the majors, he's struck out eight times in the last 14 at-bats. Despite his lack of production thus far, Encarnacion-Strand should be fairly secure in a near-everyday role after a regular spot opened up for him with Jonathan India's (foot) move to the 10-day injured list Sunday.

Turner went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 4-3 extra-innings loss to the Giants.

Turner's eighth-inning blast briefly put the Red Sox ahead 3-2. The infielder has been held hitless just twice over 22 games in July, batting .341 (29-for-85) for the month. He's up to a .287/.356/.483 slash line with 17 homers, 70 RBI, 66 runs scored, 25 doubles and four stolen bases through 101 contests. He started at first base Sunday, though he's spent more time at second base and designated hitter over the last week. Regardless of position, Turner is holding down a near-everyday role.

Martinez (hamstring) will undergo an MRI after exiting Sunday's game against the Reds, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.

Martinez was in the starting lineup for Sunday's matchup, but he was replaced by a pinch hitter before making a plate appearance. Manager Dave Roberts said that the 35-year-old couldn't run or swing a bat Sunday, and his MRI should help determine the severity of his injury.

Martinez was removed from Sunday's game against the Reds due to left hamstring tightness.

The veteran slugger missed two games with the same issue early last week and apparently isn't fully past the injury. Martinez didn't have a plate appearance Sunday before being replaced for a pinch hitter during the second inning. He'll have Monday's team off day to rest up ahead of Tuesday's series opener versus the A's.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Lefty Brennan Bernardino is serving as Boston's opener Sunday, which is apparently enough to keep Pederson on the bench to start the contest. The veteran slugger has found his power stroke early in the second half with three homers and a 1.000 OPS through 14 games.

Jimenez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians.

Jimenez started the past nine games after sitting out a few contests with a groin issue, and he'll receive a day off after hitting .400 with a home run, three doubles and seven RBI during that span. Jake Burger will serve as the designated hitter while Elvis Andrus starts at the keystone.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler started the past 26 games, but he has a .441 OPS since the All-Star break and will head to the bench Sunday. Garrett Cooper will rest his legs as the designated hitter while Yuli Gurriel starts at first base.

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

With Carlos Santana having been traded to the Brewers on Thursday, Choi has settled in as the Pirates' primary option at first base, starting each of the last three games at the position while going 4-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and an additional run and RBI. Though Connor Joe will get the nod at first base Sunday while southpaw Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Choi should be fairly secure in a strong-side platoon role.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

The Angels are bringing another lefty (Tyler Anderson) to the hill for the series finale, so the lefty-hitting Belt will remain on the bench for the second day in a row. With Belt on the bench, Alejandro Kirk will serve as Toronto's designated hitter.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 5-0 win over the Marlins.

Cabrera showed a glimpse of his vintage form during his return to Miami, where he started his career and spent three productive seasons before getting traded to Detroit. The 40-year-old is no longer close to that level, as he has just one home run and a middling .653 OPS this year, which keeps him off the fantasy radar despite his Hall of Fame credentials.