MLB Player News

Beer went 2-for-4 with a solo home run for High-A Fayetteville on Tuesday.

Beer, the Astros' first-round pick in 2018, leads the Carolina League with 28 RBI and is near the top in all other major hitting categories. The left-handed-hitting outfielder is currently riding a six-game hitting streak, during which he's slashing .400/.444/.880 with three home runs, three doubles and seven RBI. He started at first base Tuesday, the 13th time in 29 games he's played there. There are no second thoughts about Beer's ability to slug, but the ultimate question is where he lands defensively or if he's a DH-only prospect.

Martinez went 1-for-2 with a home run, two runs scored, three RBI and two walks in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Orioles.

Martinez provided the Red Sox with a first-inning 2-0 lead as he hit a 416-foot blast off Orioles starter David Hess. The homer ended a streak of 15 games without a long ball, though he did still have a .283 average and .353 on-base in that stretch. Overall, the 31-year-old is slashing .323/.399/.496 with five home runs and 21 RBI in 133 at-bats.

Jimenez (ankle) resumed running Sunday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Jimenez has been taking batting practice and is now running, though he's yet to run the bases. The young outfielder is expected to head out on a rehab assignment soon.

Ohtani's recovery from Tommy John surgery as a pitcher won't require him to miss days as a hitter until at least September, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani couldn't be the everyday designated hitter last season as he had to take days off to throw, but that won't be a problem this season as his arm isn't ready for that level of pitching work. Expect Ohtani to play nearly every game this season as long as his surgically repaired elbow handles the workload, forcing Albert Pujols and Justin Bour to split time at first base.

Ohtani will bat third and serve as the designated hitter in his first game back from Tommy John surgery.

Ohtani will slot in between Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons. He'll be limited to DH duties this season as his arm is still not ready for pitching. The 24-year-old will look to improve on his excellent .285/.361/.564 line from his rookie season as he focuses on just one side of the ball.

Ohtani (elbow) has been activated from the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Ohtani was scheduled to be evaluated again Tuesday to determine his status moving forward, and he's evidently passed his examination with flying colors. The Angels have yet to release their starting lineup, but it's likely that Ohtani will make his return in the series opener out of the designated hitter slot.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and a walk Monday in Triple-A Round Rock's 6-5 win over San Antonio.

The long ball was Alvarez's 13th of the season, tying Reds farmhand Josh VanMeter for the Triple-A lead. With a monstrous 1.401 OPS and 18:22 BB:K mark through 121 plate appearances, the 21-year-old continues to build a strong case for a promotion to the big leagues, but the Astros would likely have to make some tough personnel choices in order to make room for him. As Jake Kaplan of The Athletic notes, the Astros would likely have to sell low on either Tony Kemp or Tyler White to make room for Alvarez, unless an injury intervenes. Both Kemp and White are out of minor-league options and would likely be lost to another club via trade or waivers if either is booted from the 40-man roster.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Yankees.

The Mariners will go with Jay Bruce as their designated hitter in the series opener, relegating the lefty-swinging Vogelbach to a bench role while southpaw CC Sabathia toes the rubber for New York. Vogelbach has opened plenty of eyes with a 1.119 OPS this season but has yet to solve lefties, who have limited him to two hits in 18 plate appearances.

Ohtani (elbow) will travel to Detroit ahead of the Angels' three-game series with the Tigers. The Angels plan to assess Ohtani's condition prior to Tuesday's game before providing an update on his availability.

The Angels have been coy regarding a target date for Ohtani's season debut, but comments Sunday from general manager Billy Eppler suggest it will happen at some point during the team's road trip. With Ohtani having recently completed the 40 plate appearances against live pitching the Angels said would be necessary before he returned, the team will have doctors take a look at the 24-year-old's elbow before a next step is determined. If nothing concerning turns up during the evaluation, it's possible Ohtani enters the lineup Tuesday as the Angels' designated hitter.

Brantley went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-4 win over the Angels.

Brantley clocked his two-run shot in the ninth inning to give Houston a 10-4 lead just for good measure. The first-year Astro started April by going 0-for-15 in his first four games. Since then, he's gone 39-for-103 with 14 extra-base hits and 20 RBI.