MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) told reporters Wednesday that he feels ready to return, Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Despite Ohtani feeling ready to rejoin the lineup, the Angels are understandably taking a cautious approach with the two-way star; they've already stated that he won't travel to Mexico this weekend for the team's two-game series against the Astros, as they want him to get more plate appearances in a controlled setting before bringing him back. The original plan was for Ohtani to get around 40 plate appearances in before returning, and he's sitting at 32 after taking seven at-bats Wednesday.

Pederson is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Giants.

Pederson will stick on the bench for a second straight game with another southpaw in Madison Bumgarner toeing the rubber for the Giants. In his stead, Chris Taylor is starting in left field and hitting eighth.

Brantley is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Twins, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley will give way to Aledmys Diaz in left field Wednesday as the Astros go with an all right-handed-hitting lineup against southpaw Martin Perez. Through 30 games this season, Brantley is slashing .331/.380/.517 with five homers and three stolen bases.

Brantley went 3-for-5 with a double, a walk and two runs Tuesday in the Astros' 11-0 win over the Twins.

Brantley was one of four Astros to turn in a multi-hit performance in the team's top scoring performance of the season. The 31-year-old has thus far avoided the health issues that often plagued him in Cleveland and has fit in seamlessly as Houston's cleanup hitter with a career-high .897 OPS through 30 games.

Jimenez took batting practice with a brace on his sprained right ankle Wednesday, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Jimenez sprained his ankle Friday and is set to be re-evaluated in mid-May, but he won't be completely shut down until then. That would seem to increase his chances of returning soon after his re-evaluation, as he won't have to wait until then to get back in hitting shape.

Turner went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two runs and a walk in the Dodgers' 10-3 win over the Giants on Tuesday.

Turner had been in a prolonged power drought to start the season with no long balls in his first 100 at-bats, but he finally broke through against the Giants, touching up Ty Blach for a solo blast in the seventh inning for his first of the year. The veteran's slugging percentage still sits at just .337, but hopefully this breakthrough is a sign he's ready for a power surge.

Canha was diagnosed with a mild sprain in his right wrist and received a cortisone injection Tuesday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Canha suffered the wrist sprain Sunday against the Blue Jays, and underwent an MRI on Tuesday which revealed he avoided a serious injury. The 30-year-old isn't expected to face a significant absence but doesn't have an official timeline for his return.

Reyes went 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a double, three RBI and two runs in the Padres' 4-3 win over the Braves on Tuesday.

Reyes provided most of the offense for San Diego in this contest, bagging his second multi-homer game in a week with a pair of long balls off Julio Teheran. The 23-year-old is now slashing .232/.286/.561 with eight homers and 14 RBI through 82 at-bats.

Manager Brad Ausmus said Ohtani (elbow) won't travel to Mexico for this weekend's two-game series versus the Astros, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ausmus announced earlier Tuesday that Ohtani would not return during the current series against the Blue Jays, and now his absence will extend for at least two more games. According to Maria Torres of the Los Angeles Times, the 24-year-old has made 30 of his 40 originally scheduled simulated plate appearances, but may need a bit more before making his return.

Pederson will sit against lefty Drew Pomeranz and the Giants on Tuesday.

Pederson has yet to start against a single southpaw this season, a situation that is unlikely to change any time soon given his career .179/.261/.309 slash line against lefties. Chris Taylor starts in his place in left field.