MLB Player News

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Rangers.

Alvarez took Martin Perez deep in the third inning to tally his fourth homer of the season. Alvarez has also uncharacteristically punched out three times in consecutive games, bringing his strikeout rate to an inflated 25.9 percent clip. Even so, it's difficult to argue with his production early this season, as he's hitting .295 with 17 RBI and nine runs scored across 54 plate appearances.

Pederson got a cortisone shot Wednesday and could land on the injured list with a right wrist injury, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It sounds like he's trying to avoid an IL stint, hence the injection, but Pederson is probably a little worse than day-to-day at the moment. The 30-year-old outfielder is slashing .242/.350/.545 with two home runs, three runs and nine RBI in 10 games.

Soler exited Friday's game against the Diamondbacks in the seventh inning with lower-back tightness, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Manager Skip Schumaker said Soler wanted to play through it, but Schumaker didn't want to risk anything. It sounds like Soler is day-to-day, and his availability Saturday could come down to how he feels in pregame warmups. Jesus Sanchez replaced him in this contest.

Winker (illness) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Padres, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

He is missing his fifth straight game Friday, but it sounds like he's almost over the illness. Winker should retain his strong-side platoon role at designated hitter, meaning he will likely start Sunday as well against Yu Darvish.

Choi was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Cardinals with left posterior ankle discomfort.

Connor Joe replaces Choi in the lineup at first base. It's unclear if Choi will require additional time to get his ankle right.

Winker (illness) isn't starting Friday against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

With Winker approaching a week's worth of games missed, the Brewers might consider placing him on the injured list if he does not get healthy soon. Rowdy Tellez will serve as Milwaukee's DH, and Luke Voit will start at first base, batting sixth.

Canha isn't in the Mets' lineup for Friday's game against Oakland, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

Canha has opened the season with a .200/.315/.356 slash line over 54 plate appearances in his first 13 games. While he enjoys his first off day of the year, Jeff McNeil will play in left field while Luis Guillorme starts at second base and bats eighth.

Jimenez will be initially limited to designated hitter duty only upon his activation from the injured list Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

All six of Jimenez's starts this season (including Friday) have come at DH, so it's no surprise coming off a hamstring injury that the White Sox don't want him playing the outfield yet. He'll need to ramp up his running before being considered as a defensive option.

Ramirez isn't starting Friday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Coming off the heels of a 3-for-4 performance Thursday in which he logged three RBI, Ramirez will get a day off in Friday's series opener. His absence allows Josh Lowe to start in right field and bat eighth, with Randy Arozarena getting a partial rest as the DH.

Ozuna isn't starting Friday against the Royals.

With Ozuna still struggling at the plate to start the season, he'll be on the bench against Brady Singer and the Royals. Eddie Rosario will instead serve as Atlanta's DH with Kevin Pillar getting the start in left field and batting eighth.