MLB Player News

Ozuna went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the Padres.

The veteran slugger took Nick Martinez deep in the third inning to get Atlanta on the board. Ozuna has had a tough start to the season, managing only two hits in 21 at-bats, but both of them have left the yard. It's tough to get unluckier than a .000 BABIP, and his 3:6 BB:K doesn't suggest he's having issues making contact, so his .095 batting average should begin to rise soon enough.

Ruf signed a minor-league contract with the Giants on Saturday, Jayson Stark of The Athletic reports.

The 36-year-old returns to the organization less than a year after the club traded him to the Mets. Ruf had a .413 OPS in 29 games for New York last season and then hit .167 during spring training, prompting the team not to include him on the Opening Day roster. The Giants currently have Mitch Haniger (back/oblique) and Austin Slater (hamstring) on the injured list, which could open the door for Ruf to make his way to the majors, depending how long the pair is sidelined.

Meneses went 2-for-3 with one double and a run scored in Friday's 10-5 win over Colorado. He also walked twice.

Meneses got off to a terrible start to begin the season, and even with the four-reach game the right-hander hitter is slashing just .219/.286/.281. Based on what he showed at the end of 2022 and his success in events like the World Baseball Classic, it's very likely those numbers see a significant bump in the coming weeks.

Belt is not in the lineup Friday against the Angels.

Jordan Luplow will serve as the designated hitter and hit eighth with left-hander Patrick Sandoval on the mound for the Angels. Belt is 1-for-19 (.053) with a whopping 12 strikeouts through five games this year.

Carpenter is not in the Padres' lineup Friday at Atlanta.

Carpenter slugged a three-run homer Thursday and drew a walk, but Nelson Cruz will fill the DH role and hit cleanup Friday with Atlanta throwing left-hander Jared Shuster.

Reyes isn't in Kansas City's lineup for Friday's game with the Giants.

Friday marks the second consecutive game that Reyes will begin on the bench after starting the year 1-for-13 at the plate. The 27-year-old slugger will surely get more opportunities as the Royals' DH, but Friday that job will go to Vinnie Pasquantino. Hunter Dozier will shift to first base, opening up third base for Matt Duffy, who will bat ninth.

Hummel is starting at designated hitter and batting eighth for the Mariners in Friday's game in Cleveland.

It's the third start this season for Hummel, with all of them coming in the DH spot. The 28-year-old is hitless in eight plate appearances so far, although he did contribute a stolen base.

Choi is not in the starting lineup Friday against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Choi will remain on the bench for a second game in a row as the Pirates start their series with Chicago. Andrew McCutchen will handle the designated hitter role while Jack Suwinski enters the lineup in center field and bats sixth versus the White Sox.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in a loss to Atlanta on Thursday.

Carpenter's lone hit of the game was a big one, as his three-run homer off Spencer Strider in the third inning gave San Diego its first lead. The long ball was the veteran's first as a Padre, and it gave him six RBI through six games this season. Carpenter has posted a .250/.400/.500 slash line over 20 plate appearances as the team's primary DH.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with a single and a solo home run in Wednesday's 7-2 victory over the Nationals.

After an 0-for-8 slump, Ramirez broke out with two hits, including a solo home run in the sixth inning that extended the Rays' lead to 4-2. Despite the positive outing, the 28-year-old must compete with Luke Raley for designated hitter responsibilities, where whomever has the better pitching matchup will likely get the start. Although Ramirez has demonstrated the potential to make a significant impact, he may not be a substantial contributor if the Rays can remain in decent health.