MLB Player News

Ohtani isn't in the lineup as the designated hitter for Friday's game against Oakland.

Ohtani is serving as the starting pitcher Friday, but he won't be utilized as a two-way player since the Angels are dealing with a short bench. Phil Gosselin will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Alvarez will sit for the second straight game with right wrist soreness Friday against the Padres, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez was scratched with a sore right wrist Wednesday and is evidently still not ready to go following Thursday's off day. Aledmys Diaz will be the designated hitter Friday.

Brantley will sit for the third straight game Friday against the Padres, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley hasn't played since Sunday and hasn't taken the field since Saturday. The Astros made a series of transactions which didn't involve sending the veteran to the injured list Friday, but such a move could still be coming pending further evaluation, McTaggart reports. Chas McCormick will be the left fielder in his absence.

Stanton (quadriceps) was activated from the 10-day injured list Friday.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined by a strained left quadriceps since May 13, and he'll rejoin the active roster ahead of Friday's series opener at Detroit. Stanton has a .282/.347/.534 slash line with nine homers and 24 RBI this season, though he was 3-for-22 across his last six games before landing on the injured list.

Mercedes went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Thursday's 5-1 win over Baltimore.

Mercedes got the White Sox on the board with a second-inning solo shot, then plated a pair of insurance runs in the seventh with a single. His blistering hot April has cooled off in May, but Mercedes has stayed relevant in the middle of the order, batting .263 (21-for-80) with 13 RBI over 23 games this month.

Canha went 3-for-3 with three singles and two walks in Thursday's 5-0 win over the Angels.

The 32-year-old did exactly what a leadoff hitter should do -- keep the line moving. While he wasn't directly involved in any run production, Canha still put together a strong effort at the plate. The outfielder is slashing .268/.400/.497 with 10 home runs, 15 RBI, 40 runs scored and six stolen bases in 50 games this year. His career high in steals is seven, set back in 2015.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and a walk Thursday against the Tigers.

Ramirez got Cleveland on the board early, doubling home a run in the first inning. He drove in another run in the sixth inning with a single to record his second multi-RBI performance of the campaign. Ramirez now has a hit in five of his last six starts and maintains a .265/.296/.456 line across 71 plate appearances for the season.

Ohtani was scratched from Thursday's start due to transportation issues, but will now start Friday against the Athletics instead, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani was on a team bus that got stuck in traffic, so he would not have gotten to the ballpark in time to properly prepare for his start. Instead he will serve as the designated hitter and bat second Thursday, and he will be lined up to take the mound Friday.

After not being in the original lineup, Ohtani will now bat second and serve as the designated hitter Thursday against the Athletics.

Ohtani was scratched from his start on the mound, but he will now be a part of the lineup. He takes the place of Phil Gosselin as the designated hitter.

Ohtani will not be the starting pitcher for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

There has been no explanation yet for the shift in plans, though Ohtani is also not in the batting order for the contest. Patrick Sandoval will take the mound in Ohtani's place.