MLB Player News

Martin has been diagnosed with flexor strain in his left elbow and is expected to miss eight weeks, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list over the weekend due to left elbow inflammation, but it's since been reported that he'll need more than the minimum to return to full strength. The Cubs are weathering quite the injury storm in the bullpen, as Daniel Palencia (lat), Caleb Thielbar (hamstring) and Hunter Harvey (triceps) are also on the shelf.

Ohtani, who is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Marlins on the mound, could be held back from hitting, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts stated that the team intends to give Ohtani a break given the fact that the two-way player is pitching on five days of rest instead of his usual six days. The Dodgers also have an early start time Wednesday, making it all the more likely that Ohtani is restricted to pitching only Tuesday. Expect more clarification from the team on the 31-year-old's usage closer to Tuesday's first pitch.

O'Hoppe said Monday that the fracture in his left wrist is small and he believes he will return from the injured list in a "couple of weeks," Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

O'Hoppe sustained the injury Saturday against the Royals after taking a foul ball off his exposed left wrist. X-Rays revealed a small fracture, but the 26-year-old catcher sounded optimistic that his stint on the IL will be a short one. O'Hoppe would be back in the lineup by mid-May if that timeline holds, but in the meantime, Travis d'Arnaud will serve as the Angels' primary catcher while Sebastian Rivero operates in the backup role.

Pauley is not in the Marlins' starting lineup against the Dodgers on Monday.

Pauley will take a seat for Monday's series opener while Javier Sanoja mans the hot corner and bats eighth. Pauley has gone 5-for-10 with one home run and four RBI during his current four-game hitting streak.

Cruz was scratched from the Pirates' starting lineup against the Cardinals on Monday due to an illness.

Cruz evidently fell ill prior to Monday's game, which prompted the Pirates to replace him with Jake Mangum in center field and shift Spencer Horwitz to the leadoff spot in the batting order. Cruz will continue to receive treatment in the hopes of being cleared to return for Tuesday's contest against St. Louis.

Ballesteros will start at catcher and bat sixth in Monday's game versus the Padres.

It's the first start and second appearance at catcher this season for Ballesteros, who is slashing .397/.446/.690 with four home runs as the Cubs' primary designated hitter. Most of Ballesteros' playing time is likely to continue to come at DH, but it would be a major boost to his fantasy prospects if he catches enough to gain eligibility at the position.

The Yankees have yet to decide whether Volpe (shoulder) will be activated from the 10-day injured list for their series this weekend against the Orioles, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reported Sunday that Volpe would rejoin the Yankees this week, and while that could still happen, the decision has yet to be made. Volpe is slashing .308/.333/.423 with one home run, two stolen bases and a 1:7 BB:K in his first eight rehab games. He's currently at Double-A Somerset and will continue his rehab with the affiliate until the Yankees choose when to activate him.

Mangum is starting in center field and batting eighth against the Cardinals on Monday.

Mangum was initially slated to open Monday's series opener on the bench, but he will get the start in center field instead after the Pirates scratched Oneil Cruz (undisclosed) from the lineup. Mangum is slashing .254/.313/.288 with three steals and two RBI over 65 plate appearances this season.

Cruz (undisclosed) has been scratched from Monday's lineup against the Cardinals.

It's unclear why Cruz was removed, but he has been replaced by Jake Mangum in center field. The Pirates should have an update on Cruz's status during or shortly after Monday's contest.

Stanton (calf) could still be placed on the 10-day injured list, pending the results of an MRI he underwent Monday, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stanton will miss a third straight start Monday against the Rangers due to a right calf injury he suffered Friday versus the Astros. The Yankees will wait until after Monday's contest to make a decision on an IL move. Jasson Dominguez is starting at designated hitter Monday in Stanton's stead and would be in line for regular playing time if Stanton's absence is extended.