MLB Player News

Ohtani (finger) went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start for Sunday's game, but he was cleared to hit. He made a big impact from the No. 2 spot in the order Friday. In the second inning, he hit a bases-loaded double to plate three runs. The 26-year-old added a solo shot in the fifth inning to extend the Angels' lead to 5-0. He's batting .300/.344/.700 with three homers, eight RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases in eight games. Ohtani is expected to be able to continue hitting while battling a finger blister, but it's unclear when he'll be able to return to the mound.

Ford was optioned to the Yankees' alternate training site after Friday's loss to the Rays.

Ford was recalled Friday to serve as a bench option after Gio Urshela was placed on the COVID-19 IL due to side effects from the vaccine. However, Ford didn't appear in Friday's loss and will now head back to alternate camp.

Ohtani (finger) will bat second as the designated hitter Friday versus the Blue Jays, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was ruled out for his next start Sunday against Toronto due to a blister, though the issue won't prevent him from serving as the designated hitter to open the weekend. It's unclear if Ohtani will be able to pitch in the following series against the Royals, which begins Monday, but he's cleared to continue hitting in the meantime.

Ford was recalled from the alternate site prior to Friday's game against the Rays, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

This will likely be a short stay in the majors for Ford, as this was the corresponding move to Gio Urshela landing on the COVID list due to side effects from the vaccine. Ford will serve as a left-handed bench option for manager Aaron Boone.

Canha went 1-for-3 with two walks in a loss to the Astros on Thursday.

The Athletics' season is off to a nightmarish start, but Canha's work out of the leadoff spot has been encouraging. The veteran has a .361 on-base percentage and 11.1 percent walk rate through his first 36 plate appearances. Three of Canha's seven hits -- a double, a triple and a home run -- have gone for extra bases as well, making him a well-rounded option atop the order.

Torrens went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a loss to the Twins on Thursday.

Torrens' second two-bagger of the season helped push his season average to .333, with the 24-year-old having hit safely in three of his first four starts. Torrens and Tom Murphy project to continue splitting time behind the dish fairly evenly, with each logging the same number of starts thus far.

Mercedes went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the 6-0 win Thursday over the Royals.

Mercedes keeps stealing the show in his astonishing and unexpected start to the season. After resting Wednesday, the rookie slammed a 485 foot home run in the first inning off Brad Keller. While Mercedes won't be able to keep up this hitting pace (15-for-27) all season, it is quite the start for a player who wasn't expected to get everyday at-bats.

Brantley went 1-for-4 in Thursday's 6-2 win over Oakland.

This was Brantley's first appearance since last Saturday when he was hit by a pitch on the wrist. He was back in a familiar spot, batting second between Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman.

Ohtani will not make his next start Sunday against Toronto due to a blister, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani survived an injury scare in his last start but will now be skipped in the rotation. The team is still assessing whether he will be able to pitch in the team's series with the Royals beginning Monday. The news shifts the Angels' rotation, with Jose Quintana taking the mound Saturday and Alex Cobb on Sunday.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo homer in Thursday's victory over the Athletics.

Alvarez cracked his second homer of the season in the sixth inning against Cole Irvin. The 23-year-old is slashing .333/.364/.667 in the heart of a dynamic Astros lineup, and if he can stay healthy, he should be in line for a huge campaign.