MLB Player News

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez reached base three times in Sunday's 10-5 loss to the Reds, boosting his on-base percentage to a magnificent .436 since the beginning of June. His hot run of production over the past five weeks has allowed Ramirez to settle in as a regular in the lineup, but he'll get a routine maintenance day as the Rays begin a seven-game week. Ramirez had started in 13 of the Rays' last 14 games.

Vogelbach went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run Sunday against the Brewers.

Even with the return of Kevin Newman and Yoshi Tsutsugo, Vogelbach has remained a regular in the Pittsburgh lineup. He's dictated that with his performance, as he's maintained a .355 average with two home runs, eight RBI and three runs scored across nine games in July. For the season, Vogelbach has 12 homers with a .241/.339/.459 line across 254 plate appearances.

Jimenez went 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI on Sunday against the Tigers.

Jimenez was held out of Saturday's lineup due to general soreness, but his absence was limited to one game. He singled in a run in the eighth inning and also worked his first free pass since returning from the injured list Wednesday. Jimenez has hit well since his activation, racking up four hits across 17 plate appearances with five RBI and two runs scored.

Ford was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Ford failed to get an at-bat while in the big leagues after being called up Friday and he will now return to Triple-A on Monday. The first baseman will remain a top candidate for a potential call up moving forward.

Lewis (concussion) is scheduled to shift his rehab assignment to Triple-A Tacoma this week and is expected to make regular starts in the outfield, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

According to Kramer, the Mariners have already ruled out activating Lewis from the 7-day injured list prior to the All-Star break, but the 26-year-old is trending toward being ready to go when the big club opens its second-half schedule July 22. Through the first five games of his rehab assignment -- which has included one game with Tacoma and four with High-A Everett -- Lewis has served exclusively as a designated hitter while going 4-for-10 with three home runs and two walks.

Buxton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

Buxton has gotten off to a cold start in July, going 4-for-34 (.118) in eight contests. He's salvaged some fantasy value from the slump, as all four of his hits this month have gone for extra bases (three homers, one double), and he's added a stolen base. The outfielder is up to 23 long balls, 42 RBI, 48 runs scored and a .215/.295/.550 slash line through 281 plate appearances.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Since the Padres are bringing a southpaw (MacKenzie Gore) to the hill, Pederson will be one of five left-hitting players on the bench for the series finale, with Brandon Belt (knee), Brandon Crawford, Luis Gonzalez and LaMonte Wade joining him in the dugout. Yermin Mercedes will cover Pederson's usual spot in left field.

Mercedes will start in left field and bat third in Sunday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Mercedes will pick up his fifth start in nine games since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento a week ago. He'll likely see regular work versus left-handed pitching, but Mercedes' opportunities to play against right-handers should dwindle once Brandon Belt (knee) is cleared to rejoin the lineup and when Tommy La Stella (illness) is activated from the COVID-19-related injured list.

Belt (knee) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Belt, who already spent time on the injured list earlier this season with right knee inflammation, is dealing with renewed tenderness in his knee. He'll be on the bench for the second game in a row, but the Giants remain hopeful that his injury isn't anything that will keep him out through the All-Star break. Even if the knee issue hadn't cropped up in Saturday's 3-1 win, the lefty-hitting Belt may have been due to receive Sunday's game off anyway with southpaw MacKenzie Gore taking the hill for San Diego.

The Astros placed Alvarez on the 10-day injured list Sunday with right hand inflammation.

Alvarez missed some time with a right hand injury in mid-June and quickly returned to the lineup, but the issue has apparently worsened over the past few weeks. The 25-year-old's move to the IL on Sunday means he will be eligible to return coming out of the All-Star break July 21, though it remains to be seen if he's healthy enough to be reinstated at that point. Aledmys Diaz is the most likely candidate to see increased playing time during Alvarez's absence.