MLB Player News

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double in Friday's 7-2 loss to the Rockies.

The Yankees got off to a hot start with Stanton's first-inning blast, but that was it for their run production in the contest. He's starting to get back on track, going 11-for-38 (.289) with four homers and 11 RBI over his last 11 games. The veteran slugger is at a .211/.281/.454 slash line with 10 long balls, 25 RBI, 19 runs scored and seven doubles through 42 contests on the year.

Ohtani left his start Friday against the Astros with a trainer in the top of the sixth inning, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

While manager Phil Nevin said pregame that he did not expect any more problems with Ohtani's troublesome right middle finger, it was seemingly the culprit behind the megastar's early exit. He's been dealing with a blister and a cracked nail on the finger. Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register notes that Ohtani's velocity was down and his command was off Friday. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks while striking out seven over five innings.

Ohtani threw a bullpen session Thursday and had no issues with his finger, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani's right middle finger had been giving him trouble over his past couple of starts. Most recently, he exited his start July 4 against San Diego due to a blister after surrendering five runs over five innings. Luckily, it seems the issue has subsided, and Ohtani should be able to return to the mound Friday against Houston.

Turner is starting at second base and batting third in Friday's game versus the Cubs, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Turner entered play Friday having seen only eight innings of action at second base this season, and this is his first start at the position since 2015. The goal of the move is to inject more offense into the Boston lineup, as its allows Masataka Yoshida, Jarren Duran and Adam Duvall to all start between the outfield and DH, but it's not clear how frequently manager Alex Cora will deploy this lineup -- the team is already struggling to find an adequate defensive option at shortstop.

Alvarez (oblique) will have his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land delayed due to illness.

Alvarez was slated to begin playing for Sugar Land on Friday, but his return to the field will have to wait as he fights off an illness. It's unclear what effect this will have on the timeline for his return to Houston, but the Astros will surely look to get their star slugger back as soon as possible. Alvarez has been on the IL since early June with a right oblique strain.

Alvarez (oblique) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez has been working out lately without issue and is ready to test things out in a game setting. The Astros have not revealed how many rehab games the slugger might require, but a return to the major-league roster by early next week would seem possible. Alvarez has been on the shelf since early June with a right oblique strain.

Rooker went 3-for-3 with a solo home run and a steal in Sunday's loss to the Red Sox.

Rooker went deep for his second home run in as many games, launching a solo shot off Josh Winckowski in the fifth. He also secured his second stolen base of 2023, an unlikely feat considering he didn't log a steal in any of his first three MLB seasons. Over his last nine appearances, Rooker is 9-for-27 (.333) with three homers and six RBI but is striking out at a 35.4 percent clip.

Astros general manager Dana Brown said Sunday that Alvarez (oblique) will "for sure" head out on a rehab assignment shortly after the All-Star break, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Alvarez doesn't sound like he'll be an option for the Astros' first series of the second half that begins Friday in Anaheim, but if he joins a minor-league affiliate by next weekend and is able to get at least a game or two under his belt, he could be ready to return from the 10-day injured list at some point during the third week of July. The slugger has resided on the IL since June 9 due to the right oblique strain.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even though the Rays will play without Josh Lowe (personal) for the second straight day to close out their first-half slate, Ramirez will remain relegated to a bench role Sunday. Ramirez has started in only two of the Rays' last six games and appears to be stuck in the short side of a platoon at designated hitter.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

The lefty-hitting Belt will bow out of the starting nine in the series finale with a southpaw (Tarik Skubal) on the bump for Detroit. With Belt on the bench, the Blue Jays will have room in the lineup for both of their catchers (Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk), as Jansen will draw the start at designated hitter.