MLB Player News

Astros manager Dusty Baker acknowledged that Alvarez is being held out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to a hand injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker didn't say whether the injury is to Alvarez's throwing (right) hand or the opposite one, but the skipper noted that the team doesn't believe it's a serious concern. With Alvarez on the bench for the series finale, J.J. Matijevic will start at designated hitter and bat sixth.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox due to an unspecified injury, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 24-year-old was removed from Saturday's contest after suffering the injury on a swing during the seventh inning, though the specifics of the issue remain unclear. Alvarez will be sidelined for at least one game, and he'll have the benefit of additional rest Monday since the Astros have a scheduled off day. J.J. Matijevic will bat sixth as the designated hitter Sunday for Houston.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

The 31-year-old's move to the bench allows both of Atlanta's two backstops -- Travis d'Arnaud and William Contreras -- to stick in the lineup, as Contreras will handle designated-hitter duties in Ozuna's stead. Ozuna went 0-for-7 with a walk and three strikeouts in the first two games of the series in Chicago.

Canha is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Jeff McNeil will pick up a start in left field in place of Canha, who sits for the second time during the Mets' six-game week. Canha still appears to be fairly secure in a near-everyday role, though the Mets' eagerness to open up more playing time in the infield for Luis Guillorme means that McNeil will spell Canha in the outfield more often than was anticipated heading into the season.

Soler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

He'll sit for the first time since June 9, affording Luke Williams a start in left field Sunday. While starting in each of the Marlins' past eight games, Soler went 5-for-31 (.161 average) with two doubles, two walks, three runs and an RBI.

Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored Saturday against the Padres.

Blackmon took Nick Martinez yard in the fifth inning to record his 11th home run of the season. He's enjoyed a strong homestand, hitting .455 with a pair of long balls, six RBI and five runs scored across his last five games. Blackmon has also maintained a .802 OPS across 264 plate appearances on the campaign.

Ramirez is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez went 5-for-17 with three RBI while starting the past five games, but he'll head to the bench for Sunday's series finale in Baltimore. Brett Phillips will start in right field while Randy Arozarena serves as the designated hitter.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

With the Tigers wrapping up their series with the Rangers with a day game, Cabrera will get some routine maintenance. Eric Haase replaces Cabrera in the lineup as Detroit's designated hitter.

Harper (hand) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals, Joe Trezza of MLB.com reports.

He'll be sidelined for the third consecutive game overall and a second straight on account of a blister on his left hand. Harper received antibiotics to treat the blister, so he could be ready to rejoin the lineup for Tuesday's series opener against the Rangers if his treatment has taken full effect by then.

Cabrera went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI single and two runs scored in Saturday's victory over the Rangers.

Cabrera sent Willi Castro home on a single in the fourth. Cabrera crossed the plate thanks to an Eric Haase home run and a wild pitch by Jose Leclerc. The veteran has played well lately, with at least one hit in each of his last five games, including three multi-hit games. He is now slashing .297/.333/.376