MLB Player News

Espinal is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Espinal will hit the bench for the second straight day after he had started in six straight games at either third base or designated hitter. With Noelvi Marte recently getting reinstated from an 80-game suspension to begin the season and with Jake Fraley and Jeimer Candelario returning to the lineup Saturday and Sunday, respectively, after multi-game absences, Espinal's opportunities are expected to become more limited moving forward.

Martini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Martini had started in each of the past four games, but his uptick in playing time appears to be linked to Jeimer Candelario (hamstring) missing each of those contests. With Candelario back in the lineup Sunday as the Reds' designated hitter, Martini's opportunities are likely to take a hit moving forward.

Rodgers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Rodgers had started in each of the Rockies' last six games following his return from the injured list June 21, going 7-for-21 with two home runs, two walks, five RBI and three runs. He'll get a breather for Sunday's matinee, paving the way for Aaron Schunk to make his first MLB start.

Cave is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

The lefty-hitting Cave had started in right field or left field in each of the last five games -- all against right-handed pitchers -- but he'll take a seat Sunday while southpaw Garrett Crochet takes the hill. The Rockies will roll out an outfield of Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle and Charlie Blackmon from left to right.

Stallings is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Stallings had started at catcher in each of the past three games, but he should be headed for a stark downturn in playing time after the Rockies reinstated Elias Diaz (calf) from the 10-day injured list Sunday. Diaz will be eased back into the lineup Sunday as the Rockies' designated hitter while Hunter Goodman handles catching duties, but Diaz should see the bulk of the reps behind the dish moving forward.

Ortiz (neck) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, Sophia Minnaert of Bally Sports Wisconsin reports.

The 25-year-old is out of the lineup for the third straight game due to neck soreness, but his absence is viewed as precautionary. Ortiz's appearance as a pinch runner during Saturday's contest reinforces that sentiment. Andruw Monasterio will receive another start at the hot corner in Sunday's series finale.

Merrifield will start in left field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Merrifield will get his third start in four games and should be in store for an uptick in playing time in the short term after the Phillies recently placed both Bryce Harper (hamstring) and Kyle Schwarber (groin) on the injured list. Through 16 games in June while seeing mostly sporadic at-bats, Merrifield has slashed .216/.293/.297 with one home run and one stolen base.

Ruiz is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, Andrew Golden of The Washington Post reports.

Ruiz has a .639 OPS in his past 10 games and will head to the bench for the series finale in Tampa Bay. Drew Millas will step in behind the plate to catch for lefty Patrick Corbin.

Clemens will start at first base and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Marlins.

With Bryce Harper (hamstring) landing on the injured list, Clemens looks to have settled in as the Phillies' primary first baseman, at least against right-handed pitching. He'll make a third straight start Sunday after going 1-for-6 with a double in his first two games following his return from a stint on the IL due to a back issue.

Stubbs is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Stubbs will get a breather for the series finale after he had started at catcher in both of the previous two contests. Rafael Marchan gets a turn behind the dish Sunday.