MLB Player News

Even though Winker (calf) is not starting, he's available to pinch hit and could be back in the lineup Sunday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

With Tyler Naquin on fire, the Reds are back to having four players for three spots in the outfield again. It's possible that Winker and Nick Senzel will have to share some of their starts with Naquin in the immediate future.

Martinez (cold symptoms) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

The 33-year-old was withheld from Saturday's lineup due to cold symptoms, and he'll now be unavailable while on the COVID-IL. The specialized injured list doesn't have a minimum stay, so Martinez could make a quick return to the roster if he continues to test negative for the virus. Michael Chavis was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Ohtani (finger) could throw a bullpen session Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start for Sunday's game due to a blister, but he could throw once again Monday. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will throw with a bandage on his finger. Since Ohtani's throwing session would occur Monday, he could miss a full turn through the rotation due to his injury. However, Ohtani has still been able to hit recently and is starting Saturday's game against Toronto as the designated hitter, batting second.

Martinez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Orioles due to cold symptoms, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martinez started each of the first seven games of the year and went 13-for-30 with nine extra-base hits and 12 RBI while recording hits in every contest. However, he's feeling under the weather Saturday and is in the COVID protocols as a precautionary measure, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. Christian Vazquez will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth Saturday.

Harper went 0-for-2 with two walks in Friday's 8-1 loss to the Braves.

Harper continues to have a slow start to the 2021 season. Across 21 at-bats, Harper has only registered one extra-base hit (zero home runs). The superstar outfielder has drawn a walk on 26.7 percent of his plate appearances to help make up for his lack of hits.

Ohtani (finger) will bat second as the designated hitter Saturday against Toronto.

Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start for Sunday's game due to a blister, but he's still been able to serve as the designated hitter for the Angels. The 26-year-old has gone 9-for-30 with three home runs, eight RBI, seven runs and two stolen bases at the plate this season.

Winker (calf) isn't starting Saturday's game against Arizona.

Winker exited Friday's contest due to calf cramps after he went 3-for-3 with a double, one run and one RBI against the Diamondbacks. Tyler Naquin will fill in as the left fielder and lead off Saturday.

Ohtani (finger) played long toss in the outfield Friday and doesn't expect his absence from the mound to be lengthy, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani has already been scratched from his scheduled start Sunday due to a blister on his pitching hand, but it appears the issue won't set him back from taking the mound for long. The right-handed hurler indicated that he expects to throw relatively soon, and he hasn't had any problems swinging the bat, going 3-for-10 with five RBI over his past two games.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Friday in a loss to the Rays.

The slugger produced the Yankees' first runs of the contest with a two-run single in the third inning and subsequently crossed the plate on an Aaron Hicks home run. Stanton leads New York with seven RBI on the campaign, though he has just one homer through 25 at-bats. He's been limited to DH duties thus far this season, though he has been getting practice reps in left field, per Brendan Kuty of The Newark Star-Ledger.

Canha went 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over Houston.

Canha singled and scored on a Matt Olson homer in the eighth inning, then added his own long ball to cap the scoring in the ninth. The veteran outfielder has three multi-hit games on the campaign and is slashing .265/.390/.529 overall. Friday's long ball was his first of the campaign.