MLB Player News

Encarnacion-Strand (back) has gone 4-for-13 with a home run, a double, a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in three games since he was activated from Triple-A Louisville's 7-day injured list Sunday.

Though his back injury first cropped up in February, Encarnacion-Strand turned heads in the Cactus League while playing at less-than-optimal health before the Reds optioned him to minor-league camp in mid-March. Encarnacion-Strand's regular-season debut was delayed mainly for precautionary reasons while he dealt with a slight herniation in his back, but the 23-year-old should play on a near-everyday basis at Triple-A now that he's been activated. He won't strictly be limited to the designated-hitter role, either, as he's already made two of his three starts at first base.

Pederson isn't starting Wednesday against St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With the left-handed Steven Matz starting on the mound for the Cardinals, Pederson will begin Wednesday's contest in the dugout. Michael Conforto will instead serve as San Francisco's DH, opening up a spot for Austin Slater to start in center field and bat leadoff.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

With a left-hander (Drew Smyly) on the mound, the lefty-hitting Carpenter will give way to his platoon mate at designated hitter, Nelson Cruz. Carpenter started each of the previous three games and accrued a home run, four doubles and six RBI over that stretch.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters before Wednesday's game that Martinez (back) could be available off the bench against the Pirates but it will depend on how he's feeling after pregame activities, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez is sitting out a second consecutive game while dealing with back tightness. If the veteran designated hitter isn't able to get into the lineup off the bench against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, there's a very good chance he is back in the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Pirates.

Alvarez (neck) remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez will wind up missing the Astros' entire three-game series in Tampa, as he remains in Houston while he continues to experience neck discomfort, which he had been playing through for nearly a week. According to Rome, manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Alvarez is feeling "about the same" as he did Tuesday, which doesn't inspire much confidence that he'll be ready to play coming out of Thursday's team off day. Baker noted that before a determination is made on whether Alvarez will require a stint on the 10-day injured list, the Astros' medical staff will re-evaluate the slugger when the team returns to Houston.

Martinez (back) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Martinez will take a seat for a second straight day while he deals with back tightness. The hope was that the veteran designated hitter would require only one day off due to the injury, but the Dodgers will give him an extra day to recover. David Peralta will serve as the designated hitter Wednesday while Martinez sits again.

Vogelbach is on the bench versus lefty MacKenzie Gore and the Nationals on Wednesday.

The designated hitter has gone 5-for-13 with a double and two RBI during a four-game hitting streak. Tommy Pham fills in for Vogelbach as the DH for Wednesday's contest.

Reyes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

After being reinstated from the paternity list Monday, Reyes started at designated hitter in both of the first two games of the series in Arizona, going hitless across eight at-bats. He'll bow out of the starting nine for the series finale and will cede DH duties to MJ Melendez.

Belt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the White Sox.

With the Blue Jays and White Sox concluding their series with a day game after a night game, Belt and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier will receive maintenance days. Alejandro Kirk will get a day off behind the plate to serve as the Blue Jays' designated hitter in Belt's stead.

Buxton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

Buxton looks to be sitting out for maintenance purposes while the Twins and Yankees conclude their series with a day game after a night game. Jose Miranda will step in as the Twins' designated hitter in place of Buxton, who has settled into a groove at the dish of late with seven hits -- including two home runs and three doubles -- over his last six games.