MLB Player News

Harper is being held out of Sunday's lineup due to illness, Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post reports.

Harper said he's been sick most of the week but the issue has worsened over the last few days. It appears to be a minor issue as the 25-year-old expects to return to the lineup in Philadelphia on Monday, but it's still a situation worth monitoring.

Harper is out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASN Sports reports.

Harper may have a .331/.410/.595 slash line with seven home runs since the All-Star break, but will get a breather Sunday as he is 0-for-11 over the last three games. Michael Taylor will start in center field while the former NL MVP should return to the lineup at Philadelphia on Monday.

Martinez is out of the lineup Sunday against the Rays, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.

The hot-hitting Martinez has started each of the Red Sox's past 28 games, delivering an incredible 1.173 OPS over that span. He'll be given a breather in the series finale and benefit from two full days of rest with the Red Sox off the schedule Monday before kicking off a two-game set with the Marlins on Tuesday. Steve Pearce will serve as Boston's designated hitter in Martinez's stead.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored in Saturday's 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

Martinez was reported to be given the day off Saturday, but manager Alex Cora gave Jackie Bradley the day off instead. Martinez's two hits raised his season batting average to a league-high .337, two points higher than teammate Mookie Betts. The slugging outfielder/DH leads baseball with 110 RBI and is second with 38 home runs, one behind Oakland's Khris Davis.

Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a double and two-run homer against the Astros on Saturday.

Ohtani took Justin Verlander deep in the fourth inning to record his 14th home run of the season. While much of the news surrounding Ohtani is in regards to his efforts to return to the mound, he has acquitted himself well at the plate by slashing .274/.354/.540 across 226 at-bats. He has seen the lineup less frequently while he ramps up his throwing program, so Ohtani may see less frequent at-bats the closer he gets to returning to the hill.

Ohtani (elbow) will throw 45-50 pitches in a simulated game Monday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani completed a 21-pitch bullpen session Saturday and Monday's game will mark a significant uptick in pitch count compared to his previous throwing sessions. The 24-year-old still doesn't have an official timetable for his return to game action, but he appears to be on track to pitch again in 2018. Ohtani, who will continue to serve as designated hitter in the meantime, is batting cleanup against the Astros on Saturday.

Ohtani (elbow) completed a 21-pitch bullpen session prior to Saturday's game against the Astros, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Next up for Ohtani is likely to be a simulated game early next week as he continues to rebuild his arm strength from a UCL sprain. The 24-year-old has no official timetable for his potential return to the mound as the Angels remain cautious in the rehab effort.

Pederson is not in the lineup Saturday against the Padres as he's battling a knee bruise, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Pederson suffered the injury when fouling a ball off his knee in Friday's contest. That explains why he's sitting against a righty, though he's potentially available off the bench. The Dodgers face a lefty Sunday and get an off day Monday, so he could have a few extra days to rest before potentially returning Tuesday against the Rangers.

Pederson is on the bench for the second game in a row Saturday against the Padres, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Pederson's absence Friday made sense, as the Dodgers faced left-hander Clayton Richard, but he'll sit again Saturday despite the Dodgers squaring off against righty Brett Kennedy. The Padres will throw another lefty, Robbie Erlin, on Sunday, so Pederson could sit for all three games of the series. Cody Bellinger will start in center field Saturday.

Choi went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and three runs in a win over the Red Sox on Friday.

Choi was outstanding while hitting out of the heart of the lineup, extending what has been an impressive stretch of hot hitting. The 27-year-old has now hit safely in 10 straight starts, boosting his season average a full 50 points to .263 in the process. Choi continues to enjoy regular playing time, and his current .263/.341/.474 line that's partly comprised of seven extra-base hits (five doubles, two home runs) and six RBI is indicative of the well-rounded production he's offering.