MLB Player News

Buxton isn't starting Friday against the Royals, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Buxton has gone just 1-for-18 with five strikeouts over the last four games, and he'll get a breather Friday as the Twins continue to give him sporadic days off to preserve his long-term health. Nick Gordon will start in center field and bat eighth.

Carpenter went 0-for-2 with a walk and two runs in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Rays.

Carpenter signed with New York on Thursday and made his team debut as a designated hitter batting out of the No. 8 slot. Though he didn't collect any hits, the veteran reached base twice (via a walk and a hit-by-pitch) and came around to score on each occasion. Carpenter isn't expected to be an everyday player for the Yankees, but he could see a fair amount of playing time in the short term with a number of New York's regulars currently out of action.

Ozuna (abdomen) will return to the lineup as expected for Friday's game against the Marlins, batting third and playing left field.

Ozuna was scratched from Thursday's series finale against the Phillies due to lower abdominal tightness, but reports indicated it would only be a one-game absence. That will indeed be the case, which is great news for Atlanta, as Ozuna is riding a 12-game hitting streak.

Martinez went 3-for-5 with a walk and three runs scored in Thursday's 16-7 win over the White Sox.

There were many hitting stars in the game, overshadowing Martinez, but the Red Sox's designated hitter is ridiculously hot right now. Through 22 games in May, he's slashing .443/.485/.670 with four home runs, 13 RBI and 20 runs scored. It helps that the rest of lineup around him is also producing, so there are no easy spots at the top of the order. Martinez wakes up Friday as the MLB leader in batting average (.380) and is third with a 197 wRC+, behind only Mike Trout and Aaron Judge.

Ohtani exited Thursday's game against the Blue Jays due to back stiffness, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was yanked in the eighth inning as Taylor Ward (shoulder) hit in his place. After the game, manager Joe Maddon suggested the injury wasn't serious and noted Ohtani could be in the lineup Friday.

Ozuna (abdomen) will return to the lineup Friday, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Ozuna was scratched from Thursday's game but the issue won't keep him sidelined for long. He's swung the bat well of late, collecting at least one hit in each of his last 12 games while smacking four home runs and collecting eight RBI and six runs scored.

Cabrera went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI in Thursday's win over the Guardians.

All three hits were singles, which has become the norm for Cabrera. The veteran has six doubles and three home runs this season, but the rest of his 42 hits have only gotten him to first base. Still, he's now batting an even .300 with a .753 OPS, so there's definitely some fantasy value there. Fantasy managers just shouldn't expect Cabrera to be the dominant slugger he was earlier in his career.

Ozuna was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Phillies due to lower abdominal tightness.

Although Ozuna was removed from Thursday's lineup less than an hour before the start of the game, his injury doesn't seem like a significant concern since he'll be available off the bench. However, Orlando Arcia will enter the lineup in left field and bat eighth.

Carpenter was added to the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays.

The 36-year-old joined the Yankees on a major-league deal Thursday, and he'll make his team debut as the designated hitter against the Rays after Aaron Hicks (hamstring) was scratched from the lineup. Carpenter has appeared in 21 games at Triple-A Round Rock this year and has hit .275 with six homers, 19 RBI, 15 runs and a steal.

Hummel isn't starting Thursday against the Dodgers.

Although Hummel was activated from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Thursday's series opener against the Dodgers, he'll be out of the lineup. The 27-year-old should serve as the Diamondbacks' primary designated hitter now that he's healthy, but Christian Walker will serve as the DH while Jake McCarthy enters the lineup in right field Thursday.