MLB Player News

Brantley was held out of Thursday's lineup against the Blue Jays because of a bruised left foot, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley fouled a ball off the top of his left foot in Wednesday's victory over the Royals, and he experienced stiffness after the flight to Toronto. The Indians decided to keep him out of the starting nine as a precaution, but he's expected to be back in the lineup for Friday's contest. Manager Terry Francona stated "He's OK. We'll give him tonight to let the trainers do their stuff. He'll be fine."

Brantley is not in the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Brantley is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, but he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in three games as the Indians look to give him some extra rest down the stretch. Brandon Guyer will start in left field and hit ninth in his stead.

Though Tommy John surgery has been recommended for Ohtani's (right) pitching elbow, four independent doctors told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports that the 24-year-old would still be able to hit on a full-time basis in 2019 even if he undergoes the procedure.

Ohtani certainly showed no signs of the damaged UCL tendon affecting him at the plate Wednesday against the Rangers, as the rookie slotted in at designated hitter and went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a walk, a stolen base and four runs in the Angels' 9-3 triumph. Because Ohtani hits from the left side of the plate, doctors believe the biomechanical elements of his swing likely wouldn't harm a repaired ligament in his right elbow, thereby allowing him to regularly man the DH spot while he spends the next 12-plus months healing up from the surgery. According to one of the surgeons Passan interviewed, Ohtani would likely be unable to take batting practice until around the three-month mark in his recovery from any procedure while he waits for a process called ligamentization to take place, but that would still put him on track for spring training if he goes under the knife early in the offseason. The Angels will almost certainly field more medical opinions before deciding on the best course of action for their young phenom, but it appears there's optimism that Ohtani will be able to take the diamond in some capacity in 2019, though likely not as a two-way player.

Ohtani (elbow) went 4-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, four runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Rangers.

The Angels are faced with a tough decision on if and when to shut Ohtani down and send him for Tommy John surgery, and the two-way superstar isn't making it any easier for them by heating up at the plate. He's now gone 11-for-24 (.458) with five homers in his last eight games as a hitter, pushing his slash line on the season to a robust .287/.367/.579.

Ohtani (elbow) is slated to DH and bat third Wednesday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels announced Wednesday that Ohtani has been recommended for Tommy John surgery after an MRI revealed new damage to his UCL. That announcement was made after the lineup was released but there have been no reported changes to the lineup, so it seems Ohtani will be allowed to continue hitting for the time being. Ohtani homered Tuesday -- his first homer off a lefty in the big leagues.

The Angels have recommended Ohtani (elbow) undergo Tommy John surgery, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The two-way superstar made just one start before re-injuring his elbow. Ohtani underwent an MRI on Wednesday which revealed new damage to his UCL. He'll likely head for second opinions before a decision on surgery is made, but this is brutal news for Ohtani and the Angels.

Martinez is out of the lineup versus the Braves on Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Martinez will receive a standard day off following eight straight starts as the Red Sox wrap up a three-game set in Atlanta. Manager Alex Cora said last weekend that he wanted to give Martinez at least one breather this series. Look for him to rejoin the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against Houston.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani (back/finger) will throw two bullpen sessions this week -- one Wednesday and one Friday -- before determining if he'll start Sunday against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Scioscia said Ohtani will throw a light bullpen session Wednesday before ramping things up in Friday's session. If all goes well, it sounds like the two-way star won't be forced to miss a turn through the rotation. The injury apparently doesn't inhibit his offensive ability, as he's hitting second against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Vogelbach was called up by the Mariners on Tuesday.

Vogelbach hit just .212/.342/.333 in 25 games with the Mariners earlier in the year. He'll likely be little more than a bench bat over the final month of the season.

Ohtani (back/finger) returns to the lineup Tuesday against Texas, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani left his Sunday start early with both back stiffness and a sore finger. He didn't bat Monday, though he's always been rested the day after he pitches. It appears the injuries won't prevent him from hitting, though it remains to be seen whether they'll have any effect on his ability to pitch.