MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated recently that Turner will spend more time as designated hitter while Max Muncy sees more work at third base moving forward, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Though Turner has been playing better of late, he hasn't hit to his usual standards so far this season, slashing just .207/.265/.364 with four homers through 140 at-bats. Muncy has struggled even more, slashing just .157/.327/.276 with three homers in 154 plate appearances. Roberts suggested that the change is meant to help both veterans settle into a consistent role, likely in hopes that such a move will jumpstart their bats. "I think getting each of those guys more accustomed to a certain role, I think ultimately could be beneficial," Roberts stated.

Collins was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday.

He was in a three-way committee at catcher with the big-league club, but he had been losing playing time since Danny Jansen returned from the injured list May 14. Across 69 plate appearances, Collins hit .194/.275/.387 with 40.6 percent strikeout rate. Julian Merryweather was recalled in the corresponding move.

Lewis (knee) won't join the team Monday as previously reported but is expected to arrive Tuesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

The Mariners have been very careful with Lewis' rehabilitation, bringing him along slowly as he completes the final stages of his recovery from the right knee surgery he underwent last June. He'll be back one day later than previously reported, but it doesn't appear as though that's due to any sort of setback. He should play regularly once active, featuring frequently at the designated hitter spot to ease the strain on his knee.

Vogelbach (lower body) is starting Monday against the Rockies.

Vogelbach was out of the lineup for the last three games while tending to a lower-body injury, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat cleanup in Monday's series opener. Over his last five games, he's gone 2-for-14 with a triple, an RBI, a walk and six strikeouts.

Turner isn't starting Monday against the Nationals.

Turner drew starts in the last four games and went 4-for-16 with a homer, a double, four RBI, two walks and five strikeouts. However, he'll get a breather while Edwin Rios serves as the designated hitter and bats cleanup.

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Sunday in the Angels' 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Ohtani's leadoff long ball in the bottom of the first inning staked the Angels to an early 1-0 lead that the team maintained the rest of the way. He's now up to nine home runs on the season, placing him behind only Mike Trout (12) for the team lead.

Belt received a cortisone shot and had his knee drained Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt was unavailable for the Giants' weekend series against the Padres and has landed on the injured list for the second time this season. However, he's optimistic that he'll be able to return after spending the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores should see additional time at first base while Belt is sidelined.

The Giants moved Belt to the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Padres with right knee inflammation.

Belt didn't play in either of the Giants' first two games of the weekend before the team elected to place him on the IL for the second time this season, after he was previously on the COVID-19-related IL. The Giants will deactivate Belt with the hope that the swelling in his right knee subsides over the next week and allows him to return after a minimum-length or near-minimum stay on the shelf. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores will likely see most of the work at first base while Belt is on the IL.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The lefty-hitting Pederson will take a seat with southpaw MacKenzie Gore on the bump for San Diego in the series finale. The righty-hitting Darin Ruf replaces Pederson in left field.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

It's unclear whether the lefty-hitting Belt's absence from the starting nine for the series finale is a result of southpaw MacKenzie Gore starting for the Padres or continued discomfort in the first baseman's right knee (or a combination of both). In any case, Belt will be on the bench for the third day in a row, which allows Wilmer Flores to pick up a start at first base.