MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) completed a short bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Ohtani threw 20 fastballs, all with the catcher standing up. He also threw some off-speed pitches while long tossing. The session appears to have gone well. He's been available as a designated hitter but hasn't been able to pitch in a game since early June. The fact that he's throwing off a mound suggests he could make it back as a pitcher before the end of the season, but the low intensity of the session means that day isn't likely to come any time soon.

Pederson is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rockies.

Pederson will take a seat against Rockies left-hander Kyle Freeland on Saturday. Enrique Hernandez will start in center field and bat fourth for the Dodgers.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Stanton's hamstring tightness has not subsided since he began feeling it a week ago, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

This issue has forced Boone to play Stanton primarily in the DH spot, which is where he's spent five of the past seven games. Unsurprisingly, he's listed as the Yankees designated hitter for Saturday's game against Texas as well. Though he's clearly fighting off the discomfort, it hasn't impacted Stanton's play, as he's hitting .276 with three home runs and eight RBI over those past seven games.

McCutchen went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two RBI, two runs and four walks in the Giants' 13-10 victory over the Pirates on Friday.

McCutchen had been in an 0-for-10 skid coming into the game but he was able to emphatically break out of it, getting on base in five of his seven plate appearances including his 13th long ball. The homer was nice, but the four free passes were probably the most impressive part of this stat line, as they brought the veteran's on-base percentage all the way up to .360 on the season. On the whole, his numbers aren't quite up to par with what he put up back in his All-Star days, but McCutchen is still having a fine offensive season after a slow start, with a .781 OPS, 13 homers and 25 doubles to his name through 420 at-bats.

Carpenter went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run to help the Cardinals to a 7-0 win over the Royals on Friday.

There seems to be no end in sight for Carpenter's ridiculous tear, as this marked his third straight game with a long ball and his sixth time leaving the yard in his last seven games. It might seem improbable given how slowly he started the season, but the 32-year-old is now boasting an MVP-caliber .280/.391/.600 slash line to go along with 32 homers through 403 at-bats.

Belt (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has been out since late July with a knee bruise. He should be back with the Giants after a short rehab assignment, likely returning sometime during the upcoming series against the Dodgers, which begins Monday.

Ohtani will sit against a lefty for the second straight game Friday against Oakland.

In a small, 65-plate appearance sample, Ohtani has hit only .175/.277/.246 against lefties, good for a 52 wRC+. That's a far cry from his .312/.382/.652 line (181 wRC+) against righties. It's possible he could continue to be platooned going forward. Albert Pujols will again be the Angels' designated hitter Friday, with Jefry Marte starting at first base.

Choi went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Orioles on Thursday.

Choi closed the Rays' deficit to a run with his 376-foot shot to left off David Hess in the third inning. The 27-year-old has shown some pop this season during his time with the Brewers and in Tampa, with eight of his 18 hits going for extra bases. He continues to rotate with C.J. Cron at first base and designated hitter, with his playing time consistent enough to warrant him a degree of consideration in all season-long formats and as an affordable DFS play.

Harper (lower leg) is batting fourth and starting in center field against the Cubs on Friday, Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post reports.

Harper was scratched from Thursday's lineup as he dealt with a swollen lower right leg from a hit by pitch Wednesday, although he was available to come of the bench, if needed. The 25-year-old underwent X-rays -- which came back negative -- and should be no worse for wear in Chicago this weekend.

Reyes went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored in Thursday's win over Milwaukee.

Reyes tacked on an insurance run in the ninth to cap off a six-run inning for San Diego. He's collected a base knock in each of his previous four games, going 9-for-15 with two doubles, three homers and five RBI over that stretch. Through 42 tilts in 2018, Reyes is hitting .269 with an .853 OPS.