MLB Player News

Choi is starting at designated hitter and batting third Friday in Boston.

He missed time with a personal matter and a minor calf injury, so this will be his first action since April 20. The Red Sox are starting right-handed journeyman Josh A. Smith, so this makes for a very appealing matchup for the lefty-hitting Choi.

Jimenez was reinstated off the bereavement list Friday.

Jimenez has been on the bereavement list since Monday as he returned home to mourn the passing of his grandmother. The 22-year-old is slashing .231/.286/.372 through 84 plate appearances in his rookie campaign and should reclaim his starting role in left field following his time away from the team. Ervin Santana was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Brantley went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Indians.

He accounted for half of the Astros' four hits against Trevor Bauer and Brad Hand, his former teammates in Cleveland. Brantley extended his hitting streak to 11 games, a stretch during which he's slashed .372/.417/.628 with five extra-base hits, including three home runs, and 10 RBI. His left-handed bat fits in nicely amidst Houston's right-handed heavy top of the order.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs have deployed three left-handed starting pitchers in the series, resulting in the lefty-hitting Pederson moving to the bench for all three contests. Alex Verdugo will get the nod in left field in Pederson's stead.

Martinez went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and an RBI in Wednesday's 11-4 win over the Tigers.

The slugger has only one homer in his last 17 games, but otherwise Martinez is putting together another excellent campaign, slashing .344/.430/.538 through 25 contests. Expect his power numbers to catch up to the rest of his offensive profile in short order.

Ozuna went 2-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in Wednesday's 5-2 win over Milwaukee.

Ozuna was 2-for-16 over his last five games -- though he did walk six times in that stretch -- but busted out in a big way Wednesday with the three-run homer. The 28-year-old is slashing .272/.366/.654 with nine home runs and 21 RBI through 81 at-bats.

Ohtani (elbow) had four plate appearances in a simulated game Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani's had no issues during his first live at-bats of his rehab as he went 2-for-2 with a pair of walks. According to Ardaya, the Angels will look to get the 24-year-old about 40 plate appearances in the simulated setting over the next week, which should be the final step before his return from the injured list.

Stanton is fully recovered from his biceps strain but received a cortisone injection in his left shoulder, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton has been out since the start of April with the left biceps strain and following the cortisone injection isn't expected to begin ramping up his swinging until the Yankees arrive in Arizona next Tuesday. The nature of the shoulder issue and his new recovery timetable remain unclear beyond next week, but Stanton seems likely to be sidelined at least until mid-May.

Blackmon went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs in Colorado's 9-5 victory over the Nationals on Wednesday.

Blackmon blasted his third long ball of the season with this fourth-inning solo shot off Anibal Sanchez. The 32-year-old got off to a slow start at the dish, but he's looking more like his old self lately, as he's now slashing .279/.333/.471 with three homers, five doubles and three triples through 104 at-bats.

Choi said Wednesday that his calf is feeling fine, Josh Tolentino of The Athletic reports.

Choi was activated from the restricted list ahead of Wednesday's series finale against the Royals, though he ultimately wasn't used, with the Rays instead turning to Michael Perez at first base after Joey Wendle (wrist) exited with an injury. It doesn't sound like the decision was injury related, and with an off-day Thursday, Choi should be back in the lineup for Friday's series opener against the Red Sox.