MLB Player News

Brantley (shoulder) ran the bases before Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley was shut down from baseball activities in early July, so it was encouraging to see him do some baserunning Sunday. Since he's dealing with a shoulder injury, the Astros will presumably want to see him doing some hitting and fielding before he's in the mix to return to game action.

White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said Sunday that Jimenez (groin) could be out 4-to-5 days, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Jimenez got hurt on the day he returned to outfield duty, though he was injured running to first base Sunday, not while playing the field. Regardless, it sounds like the team is preparing to be without Jimenez for several days at least. He will be re-evaluated before Chicago's series against the Mets in New York.

Jimenez was removed from Sunday's game against Atlanta with left groin tightness.

Jimenez will be evaluated further ahead of the team's upcoming series in Queens. Jake Burger could take over as the primary DH if this forces Jimenez to the injured list, with Yoan Moncada (back) inching closer to a return.

Rooker was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins with an illness, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

There has been nothing to suggest Rooker is dealing with a serious illness. Rooker has had some major peaks and valleys this season -- he's been enjoying success lately, slashing .281/.351/.625 with three homers in his last 10 games despite a 35.1 percent strikeout rate in that span.

Belt isn't in Toronto's lineup Sunday against Arizona.

Left-hander Tommy Henry will start on the mound for the D-backs on Sunday, so Belt will stay put in the Jays' dugout. Alejandro Kirk will step in as Toronto's DH and bat seventh.

Ohtani went 1-for-5 with a solo home run and a walk in Saturday's 13-12 extra-inning win over the Astros.

Ohtani continues to be hampered on the mound by a blister and cracked fingernail on his right middle finger, but it's not slowing him down at the plate. He's gone 7-for-17 over his last four contests with two homers, four RBI and a triple in that span. The two-way superstar is slashing .302/.386/.661 with 33 homers, 72 RBI, 65 runs scored and 11 stolen bases over 91 contests as a hitter. Manager Phil Nevin also indicated Ohtani should be able to make his next scheduled pitching start, which is tentatively expected to be against the Pirates as long as his troublesome finger cooperates.

Stanton went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run, an additional RBI and a walk in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Rockies.

Stanton set the tone early, knocking in a run with a first-inning groundout before adding his homer in the second. He's homered four times over his last four contests, bringing his total to 11 on the year. The outfielder has added a .213/.287/.471 slash line with 29 RBI and 20 runs scored, but his recent hitting -- 13-for-48 (.271) since June 24 -- is much more in line with what's expected of a player of his caliber.

Alvarez (oblique/illness) worked out in Houston on Saturday and is feeling better, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It is not clear, however, when he will be ready to begin a rehab assignment. Alvarez had been slated to start playing in rehab games with Triple-A Sugar Land on Friday but has been delayed due to illness. It shouldn't be long before he's game ready, with a return to the Astros' lineup coming shortly thereafter.

Angels manager Phil Nevin said Saturday that he expects Ohtani (finger) to make his next start on the mound, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani's right middle finger has been giving him problems across his last three starts, but it doesn't seem like it will cost him any playing time on the mound. While Ohtani's pitching performance has dipped recently to the tune of a 5.51 ERA and 1.53 WHIP over his last three outings, he is still slashing .349/.442/.860 with six homers, nine RBI and 11 runs scored since June 27.

Ohtani (finger) will bat second and serve as the designated hitter Saturday against the Astros, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Ohtani has been dealing with a blister and a cracked nail, which forced him to exit his start Friday against the Astros early. It's possible his bothersome finger winds up delaying his next start in the mound, but it won't affect his ability to hit, at least not to the point that the Angels feel compelled to rest him.