MLB Player News

Winker (ribs) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Louisville on Tuesday.

Winker's last game action came nearly a month ago Aug. 15. That suggests he may need more than a game or two before he's ready to return, though the Reds are locked into a very tight playoff race, which could inspire them to bring Winker back as quickly as possible.

Belt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 9-1 win over San Diego.

The first baseman is locked in at the plate with a six-game hitting streak. In that span, Belt has gone 11-for-25 (.440) with four homers, nine RBI, nine runs scored and three doubles. The 33-year-old sports a .258/.364/.573 slash line with 24 long balls, 50 RBI, 53 runs scored and three stolen bases in 327 plate appearances overall.

Collins was called up by the White Sox on Tuesday.

Collins provides additional catcher depth behind Yasmani Grandal, taking over the backup spot from Seby Zavala, who was optioned in a corresponding transaction. There could also be more at-bats available elsewhere for a bat-first player like Collins with Andrew Vaughn (back) landing on the injured list, but Collins' .202/.324/.331 season slash line suggests he shouldn't be spending much time as a designated hitter.

Martinez went 0-for-3 with a walk in Monday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners.

Martinez returned to the lineup after missing three games with tightness in his back.

Alvarez increased his pre-game workouts at first base over recent days, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez's typical pre-game routine involves taking groundballs at first base, but the level of the activity increased and he's nearing the point of playing there in a game. Houston manager Dusty Baker wanted to put him there in a game last week -- during last week's blowout 11-2 win over the Mariners -- but Alvarez felt he wasn't ready yet. "We feel he can do it, just in the future. He's been working there a lot," Baker said. First base is not foreign to Alvarez, who made 39 starts there in the minors.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBI in Monday's 5-1 win over Arizona.

Turner roped a two-run double in the first inning and added a solo shot in the seventh for some extra insurance. He's gone just 5-for-28 (.179) over his last eight games but all five hits have gone for extra bases and he's racked up nine RBI during that span. Turner is now slashing .275/.364/.475 with 80 RBI and 45 extra-base hits on the year.

Alvarez 2-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI, four runs and a walk in Monday's win over the Rangers.

The 24-year-old took Wes Benjamin deep in the second inning with Jose Altuve on base and then hit a solo blast in the seventh off of Hyeon-Jong Yang. Alvarez is now at 30 homers and 94 RBI on the season, both of which are career highs. The home runs were his first since August 29 and he had struggled to a .241 batting average with only two RBI over 10 games in the month of September prior to Monday.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in the loss to the Yankees on Monday.

The outfielder launched a homer off of Luis Gil in the third inning and then notched a single in the fifth. It was his third consecutive multi-hit game and his fifth in his last eight contests. Buxton has gone deep four times in seven games, raising his season total to 14.

Martinez (back) is in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Mariners, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez was held out of Sunday's series finale due to a back issue, but he's been given the green light to participate in Monday's contest. He'll serve as the DH and bat fifth.

Brantley (knee) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Rangers.

He'll be on the bench for a second straight day while he contends with right knee discomfort. Jose Siri will pick up the start in left field in place of Brantley.