• 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 6 minutes ago
     
  • 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 10 minutes ago
     
  • 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 14 minutes ago
     
  • 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 17 minutes ago
    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 18 minutes ago
     
  • 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 18 minutes ago
  • Sitting in second straight
    Hurtubise is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

    Advice: The lefty-hitting Hurtubise is on the bench for the second day in a row while the Reds have faced off against right-handed starters or primary pitchers in both contests. He appears to have lost his strong-side platoon role in left field or at designated hitter to Nick Martini, who was called up from Triple-A Louisville on Friday and is occupying the DH spot for the second day in a row. Both Martini and Hurtubise are likely to see their opportunities to play against right-handed pitching take a hit once Noelvi Marte (suspension) is reinstated June 27. Rotowire.com 21 minutes ago
  • Resting Sunday
    Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

    Advice: He'll get a breather for the series finale after he had started at catcher in each of the Reds' previous four games. Luke Maile will spell Stephenson behind the plate. Rotowire.com 25 minutes ago
  • Beginning rehab assignment
    Sborz (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

    Advice: A right rotator cuff strain put Sborz on the injured list May 9, but he made it through live BP earlier this week and has since gained clearance to start up a rehab assignment. Sborz compiled a win and three holds in seven appearances before going down. He should slot back into a fairly prominent role in the Rangers' bullpen when ready, though not quite at the back end. Rotowire.com 25 minutes ago