MLB Player News

Morel (oblique) is expected to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Jacksonville during the upcoming week, Kevin Barral of FishonFirst.com reports.

Morel was slated to start at first base in the Marlins' March 27 season opener versus the Rockies, only to be scratched shortly before the game due to a left oblique strain and then landing on the injured list a day later. The 26-year-old was given an estimated 4-to-6-week recovery timeline and looks to be eyeing a return on the short end of that window. Morel will presumably remain with Jacksonville throughout the upcoming week to pick up at-bats and regain timing at the plate, but he looks like he'll have a shot at returning from the IL before the end of April. Once he's reinstated, Morel may face competition for starts at first base from Connor Norby, though Norby could also move across the diamond and unseat the struggling Graham Pauley as the Marlins' primary third baseman.

Julien went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Dodgers.

Julien had a standout day at the plate, recording his first three-hit, three-RBI effort of the campaign. Sunday snapped a cold spell, as the 26-year-old had been hitless over his previous six appearances. Julien has regularly operated as the Rockies' leadoff man against right-handed pitching in 2026, slashing .259/.355/.352 with one homer, two doubles, eight RBI, six runs and two stolen bases across 20 contests.

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

Ortiz will hit the bench for the second time in the series while Milwaukee clears a spot for Luis Rengifo on the left side of its infield. Though Ortiz offers a reliable glove at shortstop, he's provided a weak .196/.268/.196 slash line to begin the season. The lack of production at the plate looks like it could be starting to cost Ortiz some playing time.

Lowe is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays.

With the Rays sending a lefty (Shane McClanahan) to the bump and the teams playing a day game after Saturday's 13-inning affair, Lowe will exit the starting nine for just the third time this season. Nick Gonzales will replace Lowe at the keystone and will bat second.

Vivas is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

The left-handed hitter had started six of the Nationals' last seven games, seeing time at second base, third base and DH, but he'll hit the bench Sunday while southpaw Robbie Ray takes the hill for the Giants. With a .780 OPS through 54 plate appearances, Vivas has put himself in consideration for regular duty against right-handed pitching, but Jose Tena (.811 OPS in 36 plate appearances) is also competing for the same playing time.

Baker was charged with a blown save Saturday against the Pirates, allowing one run on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts in one inning.

With the heart of the order due up for the Pirates in the bottom of the eighth, manager Kevin Cash called on Baker to protect a 5-4 lead. He yielded a leadoff walk to Brandon Lowe and an infield singled to Ryan O'Hearn before Nick Yorke tied the game with a single. It was Baker's second blown save of the season, though he'd previously recorded four of the Rays' previous five saves. Baker now owns a 4.32 ERA and 9:3 K:BB across 8.1 innings and currently remains Tampa Bay's leading candidate for saves.

Walker suffered a blown save Saturday against the Nationals, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts across two innings.

With the Giants leading 6-5 headed into the bottom of the ninth, Walker was called on to protect the one-run lead. He gave up a leadoff double to Jorbit Vivas and later the game-tying single to Brady House. Walker allowed two more baserunners in a scoreless 10th inning. Prior to Saturday, Walker hadn't entered in a save situation since March 30. Three different Giants are tied for the team lead with one save apiece, so Walker's position in the closer committee is tenuous, at best. The right-hander has a 4.00 ERA and 10:5 K:BB across nine innings this season.

Turang went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, an RBI single and two walks during the Brewers' 5-2 win over the Marlins on Saturday.

Turang gave the Brewers a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning when he smacked a two-run long ball off Sandy Alcantara, and the former brought home Joey Ortiz on a single in the sixth. It was Turang's fifth multi-hit game of the season, three of which have come over his last six outings. He is slashing .299/.434/.582 with six steals (on eight attempts), four home runs, 14 RBI and a 16:19 BB:K across 84 plate appearances this season.

Manager Walt Weiss said Saturday that Kim (finger) has resumed taking batting practice, Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Kim has been on the shelf since the beginning of the season as he finishes up his rehab from offseason finger surgery. Atlanta's skipper said that the team plans to have the 30-year-old shortstop begin playing in sim games Thursday, and he'll likely be sent out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly afterward.

Sosa isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Sosa's 0-for-3 performance Friday ended what had been a seven-game hitting streak. The Blue Jays will give him a break Saturday, providing Eloy Jimenez with an opportunity to work as the DH.