MLB Player News
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Blasts another long ball
Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, three runs and a stolen base in a 7-2 win against Texas on Saturday.
After belting his first two homers of the campaign Friday, Ohtani went deep again Saturday to thrust him into a tie for second in the AL with three long balls on the campaign. The two-way star also swiped his second bag in the victory, giving his fantasy managers further reason to celebrate. After going 1-for-13 to start the season, Ohtani has put together a six-game hitting streak during which he has gone 8-for-26 (.308) with five extra-base hits.
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Zack Collins C | CLE
Blue Jays' Zack Collins: Belts first homer as Jay
Collins went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Saturday's 7-5 loss to the A's.
Getting the start at designated hitter and batting sixth, Collins went back-to-back with Matt Chapman in the sixth inning to tie the game at 5-5, only for the Blue Jays' bullpen to falter in the ninth. Collins' bat has come alive in this series, as he's gone 5-for-8 through two games against Oakland, with Saturday's homer being his first of the season. As long as he keeps hitting, manager Charlie Montoyo will likely keep finding a way to get Collins into the lineup at DH or behind the plate.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: At ballpark but not activated
Alvarez (illness) worked out with his teammates prior to Saturday's game in Seattle but has not been activated off the COVID-19 injured list, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Alvarez had remained away from the park for the past several days while battling an illness and was eventually placed on the COVID-19 injured list due to coronavirus-like symptoms, though he reportedly didn't test positive for the virus. The fact that he's back with his teammates Saturday is a sign that he's feeling much better, though it's yet to be confirmed when he'll return to the roster.
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Brad Miller DH | SD
Rangers' Brad Miller: Scratched with back tightness
Miller was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels due to back tightness.
Miller wasn't in Friday's lineup against a left-handed pitcher, and he'll be excluded from the starting nine for a second straight game due to his back issue. Nick Solak will take his place in left field and bat eighth, while Miller should be considered day-to-day for now.
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Jesse Winker DH | NYM
Mariners' Jesse Winker: On base four times in rout
Winker went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, two walks and a run in a win over the Astros on Friday.
The offseason acquisition had the type of output fantasy managers have been clamoring for throughout his sluggish start to the season, serving as a thorn in the side of Astros pitching throughout the night. The night marked Winker's first multi-hit tally since Opening Day, and in a testament to the extent of his struggles to date, it only served to push his average back up to .200.
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Byron Buxton DH | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Traveling with team to Kansas City
Buxton (knee) will travel with the Twins during their upcoming road trip to Kansas City, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Buxton underwent an MRI that didn't reveal any structural damage in his right knee, but he was expected to miss about a week due to the issue. However, manager Rocco Baldelli didn't rule out the possibility of Buxton playing sometime during Minnesota's upcoming series against the Royals, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday. Early reports on the 28-year-old's status have certainly been encouraging, but Gilberto Celestino and Nick Gordon should see increased playing time in Buxton's absence.
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Byron Buxton DH | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: No structural damage
Buxton (knee) isn't dealing with any structural damage but will likely be forced to miss about a week, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
Buxton exited Friday's win over the Red Sox with a sore right knee, and he underwent an MRI that didn't reveal anything too concerning. Per Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Twins don't plan to place Buxton on the injured list, so they seem to be optimistic that he'll be back in action sooner rather than later. Nick Gordon is starting in center field Saturday against Boston, while Gilberto Celestino should also see additional playing time while Buxton is sidelined.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Three hits in Friday's loss
Stanton went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's 2-1, 11-inning loss to the Orioles.
His third-inning single gave the Yankees a 1-0 lead, but it was all the offense the team could muster as Stanton accounted for three of their seven hits on the night. The 32-year-old slugger is somewhat remarkably still looking for his first walk of the season as he carries a 0:10 BB:K through eight games, but otherwise it's been a strong start to the campaign for Stanton, who's hitting .300 with two homers and seven RBI.
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Byron Buxton DH | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: Not starting Saturday
Buxton (knee) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Red Sox.
Buxton was removed from Friday's win over Boston due to right knee soreness, and he's undergoing further tests to help determine the severity of the issue. He'll be out of the lineup for at least one game, and his availability off the bench remains to be seen. Nick Gordon will take over in center field and bat seventh.
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Ji-Man Choi 1B | NYM
Rays' Ji-Man Choi: Not in starting nine
Choi isn't starting Saturday's game against the White Sox, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.
Even though right-hander Michael Kopech is starting for the White Sox on Saturday, Choi will be on the bench for the second time in the last three games. Harold Ramirez will start at first base and bat fourth.