MLB Player News

Buxton (back) is not starting Friday against the Phillies.

Buxton wasn't in the lineup Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game with a sore back. He did enter that contest as a pinch runner, but he's not ready to hit even after Thursday's off day. Max Kepler stars in center with Jake Cave in right.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Thursday against the Athletics.

Martinez took Brett Anderson deep for his third homer of the season in the third inning. He continues to perform exceptionally well at the plate, as he has now reached base in all eight games this season.

Ohtani (elbow) believes he'll be ready to play by the end of April, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani has been making solid progress in his rehab, and he's most recently progressed to taking batting practice on the field. He's also thrown out to 60 feet, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. While Ohtani is adamant that he feels great, it'll ultimately be up to the Angels' training staff to determine when he'll return to game action.

Buxton (back) entered Wednesday's game against the Royals as a pinch runner and stole his first base of the season.

Buxton was unable to start the game after suffering a back contusion in Tuesday's contest, but the injury is evidently not serious enough to sideline him completely or keep him from being active on the basepaths. With an off day Thursday, Buxton would appear to have a good chance to get back in the lineup Friday against the Phillies.

Miller is not starting Wednesday's game against the White Sox, Tom Withers of the Associated Press reports.

In addition to Miller, fellow lefty hitters Tyler Naquin and Jake Bauers will check out of the starting nine with southpaw Carlos Rodon on the bump for the Pale Hose. Max Moroff will fill in for Miller at second base.

Buxton (back) is out of Wednesday's lineup against the Royals, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

He crashed into the center field wall and suffered a bruised back in Tuesday's game, and manager Rocco Baldelli intimated after the game that they might give Buxton a day or two before evaluating him again. The Twins have a well-timed off day Thursday, so the hope is that a couple days off will be all Buxton needs before returning Friday against the Phillies. Jake Cave is starting in right field while Max Kepler slides over to center field.

Vogelbach went 2-for-3 with a double and a solo home run in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Angels.

Getting the start at DH and hitting eighth, Vogelbach was the surprise hero when he took Luis Garcia deep in the eighth inning for the winning run. Tuesday's hits were his first of the year, but with Edwin Encarnacion dealing with a sore hand, Vogelbach figures to see regular playing time in the short term -- giving him a chance to build on this performance.

Buxton suffered a contusion on his back in Tuesday's win over Kansas City and hopes to play Wednesday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Buxton left Tuesday's game after running into the center field wall trying to make a catch in the eighth inning. It sounds like he avoided a major injury, but he'll likely need a day or two off.

Buxton left Tuesday's game against Kansas City due to a sore back after running into the center field wall trying to make a catch in the eighth inning, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The move was labeled as precautionary, but any injury is a worry with the oft-injured Buxton. He did finish the inning but didn't come out for the ninth inning.

Vogelbach will serve as the designated hitter and bat eighth against the Angels on Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach was originally set to come off the bench but enters the lineup with Edwin Encarnacion being scratched. The 26-year-old is 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and two walks through his first three games of the season.