• Retreating to bench role
    Caratini is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

    Advice: Caratini had started behind the plate each of the past five games, but he'll be back on the bench for the series finale now that top backstop Yainer Diaz has been cleared to resume catching duties. Diaz had missed three straight games with a sore index finger before returning to the lineup Friday and Saturday as the Astros' designated hitter. Rotowire.com Today, 11:19 am
  • Ty France (heel) to take BP before Sunday’s game
    Ty France (heel) ran the bases before Sunday’s game against the Rangers.

    Advice: France will also take part in batting practice prior to the game. The 29-year-old has been on the shelf since last Sunday with a fracture in his right heel. The infielder has a chance to return in the next few days if he continues to make progress, and likely won’t need a rehab assignment. Rotoworld Today, 11:17 am
    Ty FranceSEA - 1B
    1:10 pm vs TEX
     
  • Getting Sunday off
    Malloy is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

    Advice: Malloy will head to the bench after he had served as the Tigers' designated hitter for each of the past three games while going 3-for-12 with a home run, a double and three RBI. The 24-year-old is providing a decent amount of power (three extra-base hits) in his first taste of the majors, but he's hitting just .188 with a 38.5 percent strikeout rate through 39 plate appearances. Malloy's hold on an everyday role could be tenuous, and he may be headed back to Triple-A Toledo if his playing time slips in the days to come. Rotowire.com Today, 11:14 am
  • Returning from two-game absence
    Cruz (ankle) will start at shortstop and bat third in Sunday's game against the Rockies, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

    Advice: Cruz will check back into the lineup after a sore left ankle prevented him from playing in either of the first two games of the series. The fact that the Pirates are using him at shortstop Sunday rather than deploying him at designated hitter would seem to speak to confidence in Cruz's health heading into the team's upcoming six-game week. Rotowire.com Today, 11:09 am
     
  • Taking seat Sunday
    Hoskins is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

    Advice: He'll get a breather for the day game after he started in the first two games of the series while going 0-for-8 with five strikeouts. Jake Bauers will fill in for Hoskins at first base. Rotowire.com Today, 11:05 am
     
  • Oneil Cruz (ankle) back in lineup Sunday vs. COL
    Oneil Cruz (ankle) is back in the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Rockies.

    Advice: Cruz missed two games with his sore ankle, but he’s back in the lineup for the series finale against the Rockies. The 25-year-old will hit third and play shortstop against Dakota Hudson and the Colorado pitching staff. Rotoworld Today, 11:01 am
     
  • Josh Smith (tightness) remains out Sunday vs. M’s
    Josh Smith (tightness) remains out of the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Mariners.

    Advice: Smith did appear as a pinch-hitter against the Mariners in the Rangers’ loss to Seattle on Saturday, but he’ll begin Sunday’s game on the bench with Ezequiel Duran getting the start at third base. Smith should still be considered day-to-day. Rotoworld Today, 10:58 am
    Josh SmithTEX - 3B,SS,OF
    1:10 pm @SEA
     
  • Removed from 40-man roster
    Ellis was designated for assignment by the White Sox on Sunday.

    Advice: Chuckie Robinson will take Ellis' place on the 40-man roster. Ellis appeared in eight games with the White Sox recently but only logged four at-bats. He's spent most of his time this season with Double-A Birmingham, slashing .258/.341/.308 across 141 plate appearances. Rotowire.com Today, 10:57 am
     
  • Getting regular work against RHPs
    Martini will start at designated hitter and bat sixth Sunday against the Brewers.

    Advice: The lefty-hitting Martini sat out will pick up his second straight start against a right-handed starting pitcher or primary pitcher and may have temporarily supplanted Jacob Hurtubise as a strong-side platoon player at DH. Martini owns an underwhelming .205/.252/.357 slash line over 123 plate appearances on the season in the majors, so he'll most likely be the odd man out of the everyday lineup against right-handed pitching once the Reds get Noelvi Marte back from an 80-game suspension June 27. Rotowire.com Today, 10:57 am