MLB Player News

Ford isn't starting Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against Toronto.

Ford started the first game of the twin bill and went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. DJ LeMahieu will shift to first base while Tyler Wade enters the lineup at the keystone.

Ohtani isn't in the lineup as the designated hitter for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Ohtani is serving as the starting pitcher in Thursday's matchup, but he won't be utilized as a two-way player to begin the game. Phil Gosselin will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Cabrera takes a seat for the day game after he was in the Detroit lineup for each of the past five games, during which he went 4-for-19. The two-time American League MVP is sitting on a career-worst .592 OPS for the season, but the Tigers are unlikely to consider removing him from his everyday role while he remains on the books through 2023. Willi Castro will serve as the Tigers' designated hitter Thursday while Cabrera rests.

Brantley (leg) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley will sit for the second game in a row due to the leg injury, though manager Dusty Baker said the veteran isn't a candidate to land on the injured list as a result of the issue, according to Rome. Aledmys Diaz will pick up a start in left field in place of Brantley, who will get another day of rest Thursday with a team off day before the Astros return to action Friday against the Padres in Houston.

Alvarez was scratched from Wednesday's lineup versus the Dodgers with right wrist soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

The 23-year-old was penciled in to bat cleanup as the designated hitter, but he'll instead hit the bench due to the wrist issue. Alvarez is 0-for-13 with eight strikeouts over his past four contests, so the injury could help explain some of his struggles at the plate. He'll have Wednesday plus Thursday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing any additional games.

Stanton (quadriceps) is expected to be activated from the injured list Friday, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

The injury has sidelined Stanton since May 13, at which point he was in a 3-for-22 slump with no home runs in that six-game span. Even so, the slugger will slot in near the top of New York's lineup and figures to re-establish himself as a premier power-hitting threat.

Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Royals, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The lefty-hitting Choi will retreat to the bench with a southpaw (Mike Minor) on the bump for Kansas City. Yandy Diaz will get the start at first base for the Rays, while Austin Meadows serves as the club's designated hitter.

Buxton (hip) is still having trouble decelerating and is unlikely to begin a rehab assignment immediately, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Buxton has been swinging in the cage to begin the week, and there was hope that he could begin a rehab assignment by the end of the week. However, the center fielder will need some more time to recover since he's still not able to run without issues. Rob Refsnyder should continue to see increased work in center field while Buxton is unavailable.

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a pair of walks in Tuesday's victory over Texas.

The two-way star crushed a three-run shot in the fourth inning, smoking a ball that left his bat at 117 mph. Per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com, the blast was the hardest-hit homer of his career. Ohtani is tied for second in all of baseball with 15 long balls on the season and has added 38 RBI, six stolen bases and a .269/.326/.632 slash line.

Ohtani will take the mound Thursday against the Athletics, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Angels previously indicated the 26-year-old lined up to pitch Friday, but he'll instead start a day earlier in the series opener. The right-hander showed some decreased velocity in his previous start last Wednesday, but it's apparently not a concern. Ohtani is batting second as the designated hitter for Tuesday's matchup with the Rangers.