MLB Player News

Alvarez (undisclosed) took batting practice and did some running Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is slowly ramping up after missing all of summer camp for undisclosed reasons. The 23-year-old slugger was originally hoping to return next week, though it's unclear if that's still the plan after manager Dusty Baker said "the cavalry's a ways off." Kyle Tucker should continue to see time at DH and in the outfield in Alvarez's absence.

Brantley (quadriceps) is hitting cleanup as Houston's designated hitter Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Brantley has been cleared to DH after missing the past two games with a quadriceps injury. The veteran outfielder is 14-for-32 with a home run, eight runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base through nine games this season.

Ohtani (forearm) is hitting fourth as the Angels' designated hitter Thursday against the Mariners.

As expected, Ohtani has been cleared to rejoin the lineup as DH after missing a handful of games with a strained forearm. While the issue will keep him from pitching in 2020, Ohtani -- who is 4-for-27 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI this season -- is still expected to serve as the team's primary designated hitter.

Dickerson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

He'll retreat to the bench with southpaw Kyle Freeland on the mound for the Rockies. The righty-hitting Hunter Pence will replace the lefty-hitting Dickerson in the Giants outfield.

Belt is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies.

Belt will take a seat with the Giants facing a left-handed starting pitcher (Kyle Freeland) in a day game after a night game. Belt was able to take advantage while starting in the first three games of the series at Coors Field, going 4-for-12 with a home run, a double, two runs and three RBI.

Vogelbach is hitting cleanup as Seattle's designated hitter Thursday against the Angels.

Vogelbach is just 2-for-20 this season, though he has more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six). The 27-year-old is Seattle's top left-handed option at DH following Jose Marmolejos' demotion.

Lewis is not starting Thursday against the Angels.

Lewis will head to the bench for the first time all season; through 13 games, the outfielder is 20-for-52 (.385) with three home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base. Mallex Smith is starting in center field Thursday, with Dylan Moore manning right.

Ohtani (forearm) indicated that he would like to remain a two-way player in 2021, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani won't pitch again this season after being diagnosed with a forearm strain and given a 4-6 week recovery timeline, but he isn't ready to abandon his role as a pitcher in spite of his injury woes since joining the Angels. "It's not as severe as my Tommy John -- it's just a little inflammation in my elbow," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "If it comes down to them telling me to just focus on hitting or focus on pitching, I will listen. But, ideally, I would like to leave the window open for me to do both." The injury isn't likely to prevent Ohtani from hitting, and he is expected to be in the lineup as the team's designated hitter Thursday.

Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Lewis has hit safely in 12 of Seattle's first 13 games of the season, with the lone exception being an 0-for-4 performance on Aug. 3 against the Athletics. The slugging outfielder has been one of Seattle's hottest bats to start the season and is slashing .385/.439/.577 through his first 57 plate appearances in 2020.

Pederson went 2-for-3 with two home runs, five RBI, three runs scored and a walk in Wednesday's win over the Padres.

Pederson delivered a complete performance Wednesday, launching a two-run shot in the second and later adding a three-run shot in the sixth -- he also chipped in another run scored in the fifth following an RBI single from Will Smith. Pederson has hit safely in four of his last five appearances and accounts for three homers in his last three games.