MLB Player News

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

Ruf will be on the bench for the second time in three games and looks like he may have to settle for a part-time role even while Brandon Belt (knee) and LaMonte Wade (knee) are on the injured list. Wilmer Flores is expected to serve as the Giants' regular first baseman while Belt is on the shelf, while Joc Pederson and Luis Gonzalez should pick up starts in the corner outfield against right-handed pitching.

Hummel walked as a pinch hitter for catcher Jose Herrera and stayed in the game to catch the final inning of Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Dodgers.

This is the second time in three games that Hummel, an outfielder and designated hitter, has been used behind the plate -- both for one-inning stints. With Daulton Varsho nursing a sore shoulder, Hummel is the backup to Herrera.

Morel went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and a stolen base in a 5-1 win against the White Sox on Saturday.

Morel slotted into the leadoff spot again for the Cubs and scored the game's first run following a first-inning single and stolen base. He attempted to steal again in the ninth frame but was nabbed at second base. Morel is slashing .314/.429/.543 through his first 42 big-league plate appearances, and he has recorded two homers, four RBI, eight runs and three thefts in five attempts.

Cabrera left Saturday's game against the Guardians with lower-back tightness, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Eric Haase pinch-hit for Cabrera in the eighth inning. As long as Cabrera's injury doesn't turn out to be anything worse than tightness, he should be back in the lineup within a few days.

Jimenez (hamstring) exited his first rehab game for Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday due to right leg soreness.

While Jimenez is merely considered day-to-day, this certainly isn't the news the outfielder's fantasy managers wanted to hear. Jimenez has been tracking toward the front end of his 6-to-8 week recovery timeline after undergoing right hamstring surgery, but this setback could push him toward the back end of that time frame, as the White Sox will certainly want to avoid taking any chances with his health.

Ohtani (back) will bat second and serve as the designated hitter Saturday against the Blue Jays, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani left Thursday's series opener with back stiffness and was on the bench Friday, though he did make an appearance as a pinch hitter. He'll be fully involved from the start this time around, which seemingly backs up the idea that he'll be ready to take the mound for his next start, which lines up to come next Thursday at Yankee Stadium.

Winker (shoulder) is starting Saturday against the Astros, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Winker was scratched from Friday's lineup due to right shoulder soreness, but he'll be back in action a day later. The 28-year-old went 3-for-18 with two runs, an RBI, three walks and four strikeouts over his last five games. He'll start in center field and lead off Saturday.

Martinez will not start the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in the first game of the day. Even though he merely served as the designated hitter, the Red Sox evidently don't want him playing 18 innings in one day. Franchy Cordero will fill that spot in his absence, with Bobby Dalbec starting at first base.

Stanton (ankle) has resumed hitting, and he could return to action after the minimum 10 days on the injured list, the Associated Press reports.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone described Stanton's hitting as "light," per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, but it's a good sign that the slugger is taking swings just a few days after going on the injured list. Boone sounded optimistic about Stanton's outlook, stating, "I think we avoided a [more serious] situation there, so that's encouraging." Stanton is eligible to come off the IL on June 4.

Jimenez (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Saturday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez has missed five weeks with a right hamstring injury which wound up requiring surgery. He was originally given a timeline of 6-to-8 weeks, so it looks as though he'll be right on schedule. Given the length of his absence, he'll likely need more than just a game or two of rehab action, but it still seems possible that he'll wind up closer to the early end of his return timetable.