MLB Player News

The Angels took Ohtani off the trade market Wednesday, Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reports.

After weeks of speculation ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, it appears Ohtani will stay put in Los Angeles as the Angels look to contend for a playoff spot. Although Ohtani is currently having his worst statistical season on the mound (3.71 ERA, 1.12 WHIP), he's been a nightmare for opposing pitchers while slashing .299/.398/.668 with 36 homers and 77 RBI.

Rooker (illness) is starting at designated hitter and batting third in Wednesday's game in San Francisco.

It's Rooker's first start in a week. He was scratched from one start during that time due to illness, although it's not clear whether that's the full reason for his lack of playing time recently. Between promotions and the Athletics getting guys back from injury, Rooker isn't assured of regular at-bats in the second half.

Ohtani will start the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani had been lined up to work Friday's series opener against the Blue Jays, but the Angels will move him up a day following Wednesday's rainout in Detroit. It's a far more favorable matchup for the two-way superstar. Patrick Sandoval will work the nightcap of Thursday's twin bill at Comerica Park.

Houston optioned Madris to Triple-A Sugar Land on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Madris had been up with the Astros since June 22, but he played in only 12 games and slashed .154/.267/.192 across 30 plate appearances. Yordan Alvarez (oblique) and Jose Altuve (oblique) are both back from the injured list ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Rangers.

The Astros reinstated Alvarez (oblique) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Now that he's been activated, Alvarez will presumably return to the lineup Wednesday against the Rangers for what will be his first game with the Astros since June 8. Alvarez has taken longer than expected to heal up from the right oblique injury, but the Astros are hopeful he'll be able to shake off any rust quickly to provide a much-needed boost to the lineup. Prior to being activated, Alvarez made three rehab appearances with Triple-A Sugar Land last week, going 3-for-9 with a double and two walks.

Turner is starting at second base and hitting second in Wednesday's contest versus Atlanta, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

It will be his third start this season and eighth appearance at second base, which is actually one more appearance than he's made this year at his more familiar third base. Turner reached base three times and scored a pair of runs in the first game of the series Tuesday.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Tuesday there's a chance Alvarez (oblique) returns to the lineup Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez will be re-evaluated Wednesday and could start against the Rangers if everything goes well. The star slugger has been on the injured list since June 9 and began a rehab assignment Wednesday. He's played three games with Triple-A Sugar Land, going 3-for-9 with two RBI and two walks.

Alvarez (oblique) will not be activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game versus the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Monday that it's possible Alvarez would return to action Tuesday or Wednesday, but we can now cross the first day off that list. The slugger has been on the shelf early June due to a right oblique strain. Houston is idle Thursday, leaving Alvarez with potentially four games to play in this week if he returns Wednesday.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said that Alvarez (oblique) is still being evaluated and could be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday or Wednesday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Houston general manager Dana Brown previously said late last week that Alvarez was expected to be activated Monday, but the organization has ultimately decided to wait one more day to make a roster move. Alvarez is back with the team in Houston and was spotted working out on the field Monday after he took part in three rehab games last week with Triple-A Sugar Land, going 3-for-9 with two walks and a double. The slugger, who has been sidelined since early June due to a right oblique strain, will have an opportunity to play a maximum of five games this week if the Astros activate him Tuesday.

Alvarez (oblique) was spotted taking part in running drills in the outfield Monday, but he wasn't activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of the Astros' series opener versus the Rangers, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

According to Rome, general manager Dana Brown recently said that the Astros planned to have Alvarez back in the lineup for Monday's series opener following a three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land over the weekend, but the big club will delay any roster move for at least one more day. Manager Dusty Baker didn't shed much light on the situation when asked Monday, making it difficult to discern whether Alvarez wasn't activated for the series opener as a matter of precaution or because his oblique is acting up again. After Monday, the Astros will play just five more games this week, so fantasy managers in weekly leagues who were planning on including Alvarez in active lineups may be best off keeping him on the bench or in a reserve spot while his status is uncertain.