MLB Player News

Ohtani (finger) went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in Friday's 7-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start for Sunday's game, but he was cleared to hit. He made a big impact from the No. 2 spot in the order Friday. In the second inning, he hit a bases-loaded double to plate three runs. The 26-year-old added a solo shot in the fifth inning to extend the Angels' lead to 5-0. He's batting .300/.344/.700 with three homers, eight RBI, seven runs scored and two stolen bases in eight games. Ohtani is expected to be able to continue hitting while battling a finger blister, but it's unclear when he'll be able to return to the mound.

Ford was optioned to the Yankees' alternate training site after Friday's loss to the Rays.

Ford was recalled Friday to serve as a bench option after Gio Urshela was placed on the COVID-19 IL due to side effects from the vaccine. However, Ford didn't appear in Friday's loss and will now head back to alternate camp.

Turner went 3-for-3 with a solo homer in Friday's 1-0 win over Washington.

Turner provided just about all the offense Friday, collecting three of the Dodgers' four hits and driving in the lone run of the contest. The 36-year-old is on fire to start the 2021 campaign with two long balls, eight RBI and a 1.179 OPS through 33 plate appearances.

Ohtani (finger) will bat second as the designated hitter Friday versus the Blue Jays, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old was ruled out for his next start Sunday against Toronto due to a blister, though the issue won't prevent him from serving as the designated hitter to open the weekend. It's unclear if Ohtani will be able to pitch in the following series against the Royals, which begins Monday, but he's cleared to continue hitting in the meantime.

Winker (illness) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Friday at Arizona.

The 27-year-old hasn't seen game action since April 3 due to an unspecified illness, but he'll return to the top of the order Friday. Winker had a strong start through the first two games of the season, going 3-for-8 with one double, three runs and one walk.

Ford was recalled from the alternate site prior to Friday's game against the Rays, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

This will likely be a short stay in the majors for Ford, as this was the corresponding move to Gio Urshela landing on the COVID list due to side effects from the vaccine. Ford will serve as a left-handed bench option for manager Aaron Boone.

Belt is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has yet to start consecutive games this season and will stick on the bench Friday with southpaw Austin Gomber pitching for Colorado. Darin Ruf will start at first base and bat cleanup for the Giants in his place.

Dickerson is out of the lineup for Friday's game versus Colorado, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson will take a seat for the second straight game with left-hander Austin Gomber starting for the Rockies. Austin Slater, Mauricio Dubon and Mike Yastrzemski will start from left to right in the outfield for the Giants.

Canha went 1-for-3 with two walks in a loss to the Astros on Thursday.

The Athletics' season is off to a nightmarish start, but Canha's work out of the leadoff spot has been encouraging. The veteran has a .361 on-base percentage and 11.1 percent walk rate through his first 36 plate appearances. Three of Canha's seven hits -- a double, a triple and a home run -- have gone for extra bases as well, making him a well-rounded option atop the order.

Torrens went 3-for-4 with a double and a run in a loss to the Twins on Thursday.

Torrens' second two-bagger of the season helped push his season average to .333, with the 24-year-old having hit safely in three of his first four starts. Torrens and Tom Murphy project to continue splitting time behind the dish fairly evenly, with each logging the same number of starts thus far.