MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) said his recovery from Tommy John surgery is going well, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. "I feel like so far it's going really well, no setbacks," Ohtani said. "I think I'm right on schedule and maybe a little bit ahead."

Ohtani underwent surgery at the beginning of October, which will keep him from pitching until 2020 -- though he's still expected to be able to hit in 2019. The two-way star is making encouraging progress, as he recently regained full range of motion in his elbow, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. That said, a concrete timetable for Ohtani isn't expected to come into focus into at least January.

Ohtani (elbow) is progressing on schedule in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani went under the knife at the beginning of October, and he's inching closer to regaining full extension of his elbow. While the two-way superstar is making encouraging progress, general manager Billy Eppler said a concrete timetable for Ohtani won't emerge until at least January. Though he won't be able to pitch until 2020, Ohtani is expected to be able to hit in 2019.

Martinez (ankle) will start in left field and bat cleanup in Game 3 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

There was some concern that Martinez wouldn't be able to take the field Friday night due to an ankle injury, but the 31-year-old didn't have any issues in pre-game drills so he'll be ready to go for Game 3. Since there's no DH in the Dodgers' National League park, Andrew Benintendi will begin Friday's contest on the bench as Martinez patrols left field.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora wouldn't commit to having J.D. Martinez (ankle) start in right field in Friday's Game 3 of the World Series, ESPN reports.

However, Martinez said he planned on playing in Game 3. Martinez aggravated a sore right ankle while running the bases in Game 2, but remained in the game. Without the DH at an NL park, Martinez will need to play the outfield to stay in the lineup. Cora also said he wouldn't move Mookie Betts to second base in order to keep both Jackie Bradley Jr. and Andrew Benintendi in the lineup.

Rooker is sidelined from Arizona Fall League action while recovering from a sprained ankle, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Per Mayo, the Twins are taking a "wait-and-see approach" to Rooker's setback. The first baseman played in 130 games with Double-A Chattanooga during the regular season, slashing .254/.333/.465 with 22 home runs, 79 RBI and six stolen bases.

McCutchen is not in the lineup for Game 4 of the ALDS against the Red Sox on Tuesday.

McCutchen will give way to lefty-hitting Brett Gardner in left field for Tuesday's potentially decisive game with right-hander Rick Porcello toeing the rubber for the Red Sox. The former NL MVP is just 2-for-14 through the first three games of the series. He'll be available off the bench if needed.

Ohtani underwent successful Tommy John surgery Monday, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

As expected, the procedure was done by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who was apparently encouraged with how things went. Ohtani won't pitch in 2019 while recovering from the surgery, though he's expected to be able to hit. The 24-year-old two-way superstar did nothing but impress during his first year in the majors, hitting .285/.361/.564 with 22 homers, 61 RBI and 10 steals, while posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 through 10 starts (51.2 innings) prior to suffering the elbow injury.

Martinez was 2-for-3 with two runs and a three-run home run in Sunday's 10-2 win over the Yankees.

September actually ended up as Martinez's worst statistical month of the season, but he still posted a .297 average and .841 OPS. The 31-year-old was one of the best hitters in baseball all season, totaling 43 home runs and 130 RBI with a .330/.402/.629 slash line.

Stanton is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Stanton was originally set to bat cleanup as designated hitter per usual, but the Yankees made a late change to replace him with Miguel Andujar. Thankfully it's not an injury situation, as the team would just like to get Stanton a full day off since he has played in 158 games this season. The 28-year-old will close the regular season with a .266/.343/.509 slash line with 38 home runs, 100 RBI and 211 strikeouts in 617 at-bats.

Choi (ear/head) is unlikely to return to the field against the Blue Jays this weekend, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi suffered the ear laceration and head injury -- although he did avoid a concussion -- in Tuesday's game against the Yankees, which is now likely to wind up as his final appearance of the season. The 27-year-old will end the season with a .269/.370/.506 slash line with eight home runs in 160 at-bats with the Rays.