MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) is scheduled is scheduled to be the Angels' starting pitcher Wednesday against the Rays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The 26-year-old previously line up to start Monday but was pushed back after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow, so he'll end up taking the mound only two days later. Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter Tuesday and could do so again Wednesday despite being the starter pitcher.

Lewis, who went 1-for-4 in a loss to the Orioles on Monday, now has a five-game hitting streak.

The slugging outfielder has just a pair of home runs across his first 45 plate appearances -- the second of which came in the first game of his current hitting streak -- and his four other hits during the last five games have been singles. Nevertheless, it's a somewhat encouraging sign for Lewis, who got a late start to his season due to a knee injury suffered late in spring training.

Mercedes is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.

The White Sox won't have the designated hitter available for their two-game series in Cincinnati, so expect Mercedes to remain on the bench both Tuesday and Wednesday. He'll likely rejoin the starting nine Friday, when the White Sox open a three-game series in Kansas City.

Ohtani (elbow) will be reevaluated Tuesday and could make his next start as soon as Wednesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani was scratched from his start Monday after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow the day before, but he was still in the lineup as the team's DH and clocked his ninth home run. The two-way star came out of the contest feeling fine, providing optimism that he can return to the mound soon. That return could come Wednesday against the Rays, though it could also come later in the week against the Dodgers, according to manager Joe Maddon. Regardless of the timing of his next pitching start, it appears that Ohtani's availability as a hitter won't be affected by the sore elbow.

Soler went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 loss to Cleveland.

Soler opened the scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly to bring home Andrew Benintendi. In the seventh, Soler plated Carlos Santana with an RBI double before scoring on a Hunter Dozier homer. The 29-year-old Soler is up to two home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored through 27 contests. He's slashing just .202/.288/.360 across 104 plate appearances, but Soler ranks among the league leaders in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, and he's actually trimmed his strikeout rate noticeably from last season (from 34.5 percent to 28), so he presents an intriguing buy-low opportunity.

Reyes went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 win over Kansas City.

Reyes hit a leadoff double in the fourth inning and scored on a Josh Naylor double, and he smacked a game-tying two-run single in the fifth. The 25-year-old is off to a strong start to 2021 with seven home runs, 20 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base in 24 games. He sports a .300/.333/.644 slash line, although he could be due for some batting-average regression due to his 32.3 percent strikeout rate and .377 BABIP.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Rays.

Ohtani was kept off the mound as a precaution Monday but was feeling healthy enough to crush a 427-foot blast off Tyler Glasnow in the sixth inning. The two-way phenom moved back into a tie for the MLB home run lead with nine. He's slashing .272/.318/.641 with 17 extra-base hits and 22 RBI.

Ohtani (elbow) will bat second and serve as the designated hitter Monday against the Rays despite being scratched from his scheduled turn on the mound.

Ohtani won't make his scheduled start after getting hit in his right (pitching) elbow Sunday against the Mariners, but the issue evidently doesn't bother him while he swings. Jose Quintana will replace him on the mound. It's unclear when Ohtani is next expected to take the hill. Manager Joe Maddon stated that Ohtani's elbow is still too sore to throw, and that he's unsure if the right-hander will pitch during the team's four-game series with the Rays, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

Torrens isn't starting Monday's game against the Orioles.

Torrens went 1-for-3 with a double and a run Sunday, but he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Tom Murphy will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Ramirez was recalled from Cleveland's alternate training site and is starting Monday's game against the Royals.

Ramirez will make his season debut in center field and bat sixth during Monday's series opener in Kansas City. The 26-year-old should be available as depth in the outfield going forward, but he could see playing time against left-handed pitchers. Outfielder Daniel Johnson and left-hander Kyle Nelson were sent down as part of a shuffle to make room for Ramirez on the major-league roster.