MLB Player News

Choi went 2-for-2 with two walks, a solo home run and two additional runs scored in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Orioles.

His third-inning blast off David Hess was Choi's first homer of the year, but he's stayed productive without going deep, putting together a .293/.373/.431 slash line through 16 games. Given the Rays' depth, the 27-year-old will need to keep hitting if he wants to retain a regular starting spot.

Reed was placed on the minor-league injured list Wednesday with an oblique strain, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Reed got off to a slow start with Triple-A Round Rock, slashing .163/.250/.209 with 19 strikeouts in 43 at-bats. The 25-year-old will be eligible to return April 24 but the severity of the injury is not known.

Manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that Stanton (biceps) "hit off a machine with some intensity," Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton had been limited to hitting off a tee, so this is a step forward for the slugger. Despite the positive progress, it remains to be seen whether Stanton will be ready to rejoin the Yankees during their upcoming west coast road trip, which begins Monday and runs through May 1. Look for a more concrete return date to come into focus once he begins to face live pitching.

Vogelbach is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Twins, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach has batted his way into regular playing time, starting at designated hitter in eight of the last nine games, but will hit the bench against Indians righty Shane Bieber. Vogelbach is in a three-way timeshare with Edwin Encarnacion and Jay Bruce in the first base and DH spots. These three batters have each hit five or more homers to begin the year. Vogelbach has been impressive at the plate, posting a 1.318 OPS in 41 at-bats. The Mariners will find a way to put him in the lineup more often than not, particularly against righties.

Ohtani (elbow) won't be required to begin a rehab assignment but will instead face live pitching in simulated games, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani was cleared to begin live hitting after meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday, and general manager Billy Eppler has since revealed that Ohtani will take part in sim games instead of embarking on a rehab assignment. He remains in line for a return from the injured list sometime in May, according to Eppler.

The Yankees officially selected Ford's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Tuesday.

New York announced the transaction shortly after George A. King III of the New York Post reported that Ford would receive his first big-league callup. The 26-year-old will assume the active roster spot of first baseman/designated hitter Greg Bird, who was placed on the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with plantar fasciitis. Bird had struggled mightily at the plate prior to getting hurt, so there could be an opportunity for Ford to stick around with the big club even if Bird's absence proves to be only a short-term situation. Ford slashed a modest .251/.326/.433 over 108 games in the minors in 2018 but has been one of the top hitters early on in the International League this season, amassing a 1.364 OPS over his first 45 plate appearances.

The Yankees plan to select Ford's contract from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre ahead of Tuesday's game against the Red Sox, George A. King III of the New York Post reports.

Ford has played almost exclusively at first base throughout his minor-league career, so his impending promotion could signal that the Yankees are planning to option Luke Voit or Greg Bird to the minors or to place one of the two on the injured list. Since Ford doesn't possess a spot on the 40-man roster, the Yankees will need to make a corresponding transaction later Tuesday before his callup is official. Ford has gotten off to a hot start in the International League this season, submitting a monstrous 1.364 OPS across 45 plate appearances.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a double in Monday's 8-1 loss to the Orioles.

The double was the fifth in the last six games for Martinez, who extended his hit streak to six games and has reached base safely in all 17 games played. The Red Sox have under-performed thus far, but Martinez and the man who hits behind him, Xander Bogaerts, have been steady offensive contributors.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache determined Monday that Ohtani (elbow) can start to face live pitching, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As expected, Ohtani was given the green light to participate in live hitting, and he'll do so beginning in one week. Dr. ElAttrache informed the Angels that Ohtani's elbow has healed to the point where hitting won't impede his pitching rehab, and there's a definite possibility that the two-way player could return sometime in May as a batter. "All is good," stated skipper Brad Ausmus. "Everything came back good. The doctor was pleased and he's going to continue his progression. If all goes well, next week he'll see live pitchers. As to where that happens, that's still to be determined."

Ohtani (elbow) will begin to face live pitching in one week, assuming his visit to the doctor Monday went as planned, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

This is big news for Ohtani, as this latest update indicates he's nearing the final steps in his rehab. The Angels have yet to hear back about how his visit with the doctor went, although if all went according to plan, Ohtani will step into the batter's box against live hitting in a week. It's still unclear whether he'll do so in simulated games or while on a minor-league rehab stint.