MLB Player News

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Yandy Diaz is getting a day out of the field and serving as the Rays' designated hitter in the series finale, so Ramirez will retreat to the bench. Ramirez had started in each of the last five games, going 6-for-18 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, two runs and a stolen base.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Yandy Diaz is getting a day out of the field and serving as the Rays' designated hitter in the series finale, so Ramirez will retreat to the bench. Ramirez had started in each of the last five games, going 6-for-18 with a pair of doubles, four RBI, two runs and a stolen base.

Belt is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros, Mike Wilner of the Toronto Star reports.

George Springer is getting a day at designated hitter, which means Belt will begin this one on the bench. Cavan Biggio will patrol right field.

Soler is absent from the lineup Monday against the Royals due to a sore right thumb, Isaac Azout of FishStripes.com reports.

Soler hurt his thumb while taking a swing and missing at strike three during a pinch-hitting appearance Sunday versus the Athletics, per Noah Berger of FishStripes.com. X-rays came back clean and he should be fine, but Soler will be out of the lineup Monday while he deals with soreness. Garrett Cooper is in the designated hitter spot Monday.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

The game was a scoreless pitching duel through six innings before the Yankees put a run on the board in the top of the seventh. Martinez responded with a solo shot in the bottom of the frame, but it was the only run the Dodgers could manage. The veteran slugger has been ramping up in the power department of late, going deep in five of his past seven games. That's part of an extended surge of 14 contests during which he's swatted nine homers, driven in 20 runs and scored 14 times.

Soler is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Royals, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler will get a day off after he went 2-for-11 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and four strikeouts over the three-game series with the Athletics. Garrett Cooper will take over at designated hitter and bat third against Kansas City.

Baker is starting at designated hitter and batting fifth on Monday versus the Rangers, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Baker collected two singles in his major-league debut Sunday in Pittsburgh and is back in there Monday against southpaw Martin Perez. Most of Baker's playing time could come versus lefties, although some DH at-bats could be had against righties, too, with Nolan Gorman playing more second base of late.

Manager Brian Snitker confirmed after Sunday's 8-5 victory over the Diamondbacks that Ozuna was removed in the sixth inning of the contest due to a lack of hustle, John Marshall of the Associated Press reports. "I guarantee he feels worse than I do for having to take him out," Snitker said.

After reaching base on a walk in the top of the second inning, Ozuna returned to the plate in the fourth inning and belted a Zac Gallen pitch to deep center for what appeared to be a potential home run. However, the ball instead hit an overhang on the outfield wall just below the line for a home run, and Ozuna had to settle for a 415-foot single after he didn't run at full speed out of the batter's box. Based on Snitkner's comments, Ozuna seems to have been contrite about the lack of hustle, so the 32-year-old likely won't be in line for a prolonged benching.

Baker went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Pirates.

Baker found some success in his major-league debut, as he was one of just three Cardinals to hit safely in the game. The first baseman has thrived with a refined approach at the plate this season, posting a 17.8 percent walk rate and 21.7 percent strikeout rate along with a .313/.434/.641 slash line and 18 home runs in 54 games with Triple-A Memphis. It's unclear how much playing time he'll get between first base and designated hitter -- he was at the latter position Sunday, and that may be his best path into the lineup. He may have to initially settle for a short-side platoon role, as it's unlikely Baker will hit well enough to cut into Paul Goldschmidt's playing time.

Belt went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Sunday's victory over the Mets.

After striking out in his first three at-bats, Belt came through with a two-run shot off Dominic Leone in the seventh inning to give the Blue Jays a 6-4 lead. It was Belt's third homer of the season and his first since May 10. While he hasn't hit for much power, Belt's been swinging the bat well after a cold start to the season -- he's batting .342 (25-for-73) over his last 25 games. The veteran first baseman is now slashing .259/.379/.415 with 14 RBI and 16 runs scored through 161 plate appearances this season.