MLB Player News

Vogelbach will sit against lefty Austin Gomber and the Rockies on Saturday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach has yet to start against a southpaw this season, and given his career .133/.252/.222 slash line against same-sided pitching, that's unlikely to change anytime soon. Pete Alonso will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday while Mark Canha starts at first base.

Martinez (back) took swings in a batting cage Friday and is expected to return during next week's series against Milwaukee, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

This was the first time that Martinez has hit in the cage since injuring his back against the Cubs on April 24. The veteran also did some running Friday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, and the progress has him in line to return against the Brewers during the three-game series that starts Monday. Manager Dave Roberts said that Martinez is unlikely to play Monday, so May 9 appears to be the soonest that the slugger will appear in the lineup.

Ramirez will sit Saturday against the Yankees, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Ramirez is off to an excellent start this season, hitting .321/.387/.607 with six homers in 24 games. His barrel rate sits at a career-high 9.1 percent. Despite that early success, Tampa Bay's crowded roster means he's hit the bench in two of the last three games and 11 times total in 34 contests this season. Randy Arozarena will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with Luke Raley taking Arozarena's usual spot in left field.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Friday's 6-4 win over Seattle.

Alvarez's 408-foot long ball to center gave Houston a 3-0 lead in the third inning. The power hitter is now tied for third in the league with 30 RBI, and he now has hits in eight of his last nine games. The 25-year-old's current batting average (.263) is significantly below his mark from last season (.306), but Alvarez still has plenty of time to get hot and boost that number close to .300.

Lewis (illness) had four at-bats in an extended spring training game earlier this week.

Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list April 8 with an undisclosed illness. He reportedly is feeling better and working his way back into baseball shape.

Cabrera went 0-for-4 in Friday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Cabrera hadn't played since April 29 due to a combination of lineup decisions, rainouts and an illness. The 40-year-old saw his slash line sink to .175/.217/.228 for the season after his fifth hitless effort in his last seven games.

Rooker went 3-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk in a win over the Royals on Friday.

Rooker made an impact early, belting a two-run homer in the third inning followed by an RBI double in the fourth. The breakout slugger is up to 10 long balls and 25 RBI through 26 games this season. Over his last 11 games, he's gone 14-for-40 (.350) with eight extra-base hits.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters before Friday's game against the Mariners that Brantley (shoulder) could return to the lineup early next week against the Angels, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Brantley has been ruled out from returning over the weekend for the three-game set against the Mariners, but his season debut doesn't appear to be far off. The veteran outfielder has been recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, and he should see regular playing time as the designated hitter with some stints in left field and first base once he's back.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Carpenter will take a seat against Clayton Kershaw for Friday's series opener. Nelson Cruz will be the designated hitter and hit fifth.

McCutchen was scratched from Friday's lineup due to a left ankle sprain.

The severity of McCutchen's injury is yet to be determined, but it's apparently enough to keep him from Friday's contest against Toronto. Mark Mathias will take over as Pittsburgh's DH and bat eighth.