MLB Player News

Harper went 3-for-3 with a double and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-6 loss against the Dodgers.

After going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday in his first game back from Tommy John surgery, Harper seemed back to his old self Wednesday, reaching base safely five times with three hits, including a double, and two walks. Harper figures to see regular time at DH before eventually transitioning to first base. He slashed .286/.364/.514 with 18 home runs in 99 games last season with the Phillies.

Winker is out of the lineup for Wednesday's tilt against the Rockies.

Winker takes a seat against southpaw Kyle Freeland and Colorado on Wednesday. Rowdy Tellez will be the designated hitter and hit fifth while Luke Voit gets the start and first base and hits sixth.

Cabrera (illness) remains out of the lineup for the second half of Wednesday's doubleheader versus the Mets.

Cabrera missed the first half of the twin bill at Comerica Park due to an illness and will apparently be unavailable for the nightcap as well. Andy Ibanez is serving as the Tigers' designated hitter and batting ninth against Max Scherzer.

Belt is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox.

The lefty-hitting Belt has now sat out two straight matchups against right-handed starting pitchers and three of the last four games overall. He's 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts in his last four games and is sitting on a .509 OPS for the season. Matt Chapman will be the designated hitter and Santiago Espinal will play third base Wednesday.

The Orioles acquired Torrens from the Cubs on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Torrens will move on to the fifth different organization of his career after the Cubs designated him for assignment last week. Since the 27-year-old journeyman catcher doesn't have any minor-league options remaining, he'll eventually have to be added to the Orioles' 26-man active roster. Once activated, Torrens will serve as a No. 3 backstop behind Adley Rutschman and James McCann, and as a possible depth option at first base or designated hitter.

Stanton (hamstring) did some light jogging at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Stanton is two and a half weeks removed from suffering a Grade 2 left hamstring strain and has evidently been cleared to get some light exercises in. He's expected to miss around six weeks of action, putting him in line to return in late May or early June.

The Diamondbacks designated Beer for assignment Wednesday.

The transaction opens up a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Reno ahead of Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The 26-year-old Beer had yet to appear in the majors this season and slashed .200/.266/.314 in 79 plate appearances with Reno. His poor numbers at Triple-A and lack of defensive flexibility mean he's unlikely to be claimed off waivers.

Pederson is out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will begin Wednesday's contest on the bench with left-hander Framber Valdez on the mound for the Astros. Wilmer Flores will operate as the designated hitter and hit fifth in the final game of the three-game series against Houston.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said that Cabrera isn't in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader Wednesday against the Mets due to an illness, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera is usually in the lineup when southpaws are on the mound, but the illness helps explain while the future Hall of Famer is taking a seat for the first game of Wednesday's twin bill. Eric Haase is hitting cleaning up and serving as designated hitter in Cabrera's absence.

The Royals optioned Reyes to Triple-A Omaha prior to Tuesday's 11-7 loss to the Orioles.

Even for a 7-23 Royals squad that ranks near the bottom of the majors in most offensive metrics, Reyes proved to be too much of a liability at the plate to earn regular playing time. Before being demoted Tuesday, Reyes had started in only two of the Royals' previous five games and was sitting on a .186/.231/.288 slash line and a 36.9 percent strikeout rate over 65 plate appearances on the season. With his career continuing to trend downward since he slugged 30 home runs for Cleveland in 2021, Reyes could be in danger of being designated for assignment if the Royals need to open up a spot on the 40-man roster at any point.