MLB Player News

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over Toronto.

The new father showed some dad power Friday. Rooker plated Minnesota's first run with an RBI double in the second inning, and he added a solo shot for insurance in the sixth. The 26-year-old lifted his season slash line to .210/.295/.420 with eight homers, 15 RBI, 22 runs scored and nine doubles through 176 plate appearances. He should see fairly regular playing time in left field over the last two-plus weeks of the season.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-0 win over Cleveland.

The 31-year-old has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 14-for-41 (.341) in that span. Stanton has three home runs, six RBI and three runs scored during the hot streak. For the season, the slugger is slashing .273/.358/.498 with 29 long balls, 79 RBI, 56 runs scored and 16 doubles across 125 games.

Ohtani threw a successful bullpen session Friday and will start on the mound for the Angels on Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

There was some concern that Ohtani wouldn't pitch again this season after he experienced arm soreness while playing catch Wednesday. However, manager Joe Maddon clarified that Ohtani did not suffer an injury, but instead that he was just dealing with fatigue. That said, his workload may be monitored carefully when he takes the mound Sunday.

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Friday against Arizona, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll get his first day off since missing the Sept. 5 game against the Padres with a knee injury. Marwin Gonzalez will handle the DH duties and bat sixth Friday.

Rooker was activated off the paternity list Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rooker had been out since Monday while spending time with his newborn baby. He started five of the previous seven games prior to his absence, so he should return to a similar role down the stretch. Andrelton Simmons was placed on the restricted list due to immigration issues to clear a spot for Rooker's return.

Choi isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

Choi will be out of the lineup for a second straight game with left-hander Tyler Alexander on the mound for the Tigers. Jordan Luplow will start at first base and bat sixth.

Ohtani is starting Thursday's game against the White Sox as the designated hitter.

Ohtani is dealing with some arm soreness after he played catch Wednesday, and he'll be unable to make his scheduled start on the mound Friday as a result. However, manager Joe Maddon described the 27-year-old's issue as late-season fatigue rather than an injury, and he'll be able to continue hitting.

Ohtani won't start Friday's game against the Athletics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Joe Maddon initially expected Ohtani to start Friday's series opener, but his arm is apparently sore after he played catch Wednesday. It's not yet clear when the right-hander will next take the mound, but Maddon said Thursday that he's hopeful that Ohtani will pitch again this season.

Reyes went 3-for-5 and blasted his 29th home run of the season in Wednesday's 12-3 win over the Twins.

Reyes took Minnesota reliever Andrew Albers deep in the ninth inning to round out the scoring. He also drove in a run with an RBI single in the seventh that gave Cleveland an 8-0 cushion. The 26-year-old Reyes boasts an .872 OPS on the season, which would best the career-high .838 mark he posted as a rookie in 2018.

Brantley was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right knee soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley hasn't seen the field since Saturday due to the knee issue and was already expected to be sidelined until at least Friday, but he's now looking at a longer absence. The move to the injured list should be retroactive, which would make the 34-year-old eligible to be activated next Wednesday, though it's unclear if he's expected to be healthy enough to play at that point.