MLB Player News
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Likely to pitch Wednesday
Ohtani, who is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers, will likely make his next start Wednesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
It was originally reported that Ohtani would be lined up to pitch Friday; however, after throwing a bullpen session Monday, the 23-year-old remains lined up to make his next start against the Tigers on Wednesday. He owns a 3.35 ERA and 52:14 K:BB across 40.1 innings (seven starts) this season. Ohtani will be available to pinch hit during Monday's game against Detroit.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Gets breather Monday, likely to pitch Friday
Ohtani is out of the lineup Monday against the Tigers. He is throwing a bullpen session and will likely make his next start on Friday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Ohtani will head to the bench for Monday's series opener as he prepares for his start later in the week. The 23-year-old will be available to pinch hit Monday, but Albert Pujols will start at DH in this one, with Jefry Marte picking up a start at first base as manager Mike Scioscia goes with an all right-handed hitting lineup against southpaw Matt Boyd.
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Giancarlo Stanton DH | NYY
Yankees' Giancarlo Stanton: Gets rest Monday
Stanton is out of the lineup Monday against the Astros, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.
Stanton will take a seat in what likely amounts to a day off to clear his head after going 0-for-12 with seven strikeouts during the Yankees' three-game series with the Angels over the weekend. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Neil Walker, who will serve as the club's designated hitter Monday and hit ninth.
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Bryce Harper 1B | PHI
Nationals' Bryce Harper: Launches 16th homer Sunday
Harper went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBI in Sunday's win over the Marlins.
He also struck out twice, however, the fourth straight game in which Harper has fanned multiple times. With three homers in the last six games and 16 on the year, the 25-year-old is still supplying his expected power numbers, but his unexpected contact issues have dragged his batting average down to .232. Harper is one tweak in his swing away from erupting, but his current form may present a window to trade for him at a slight discount.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Likely to start Wednesday
Ohtani is expected to make his next scheduled start Wednesday against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
The Angels are listing Tyler Skaggs, Nick Tropeano and Andrew Heaney as their other probable starters for the four-game series with Detroit, with Wednesday's assignment the only unfilled opening. Assuming Ohtani completes a bullpen session Monday without issue, he'll likely be formally cleared to take the hill Wednesday for the first time since May 20. The Angels opted to shut Ohtani down temporarily to keep his workload in check rather than out of any concern about his health, so fantasy owners shouldn't have any reservations about keeping him active during the upcoming week. Ohtani has posted a 2.25 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and a 26:5 K:BB across 20 innings over his last three outings.
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Michael Brantley LF | HOU
Indians' Michael Brantley: Drives in run
Brantley went 2-for-5 with one walk and one RBI in Sunday's win over the Astros.
Brantley was part of a four-run ninth inning rally that sent the game into extra innings. He came through with an RBI single that drove in the tying run. The 31-year-old left fielder is hitting .335 with eight home runs and 34 RBI, and he's in the midst of a 16-game hitting streak. Brantley will look to keep it rolling Monday against the White Sox.
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Miguel Cabrera DH | DET
Tigers' Miguel Cabrera: Inching toward return
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire said that Cabrera (hamstring) could be activated from the 10-day disabled list at some point during the team's nine-game homestand, which begins Monday against the Angels, Tyler Fenwick of MLB.com reports.
Cabrera took batting practice and performed some fielding drills on the field Sunday, but he wasn't spotted doing any running. Gardenhire said that Cabrera, who ran Friday and Saturday, would need to run on four consecutive days before the Tigers bring him off the 10-day disabled list. If that plan still holds, the first baseman could realistically return as soon as Friday, assuming he starts his running program back up Monday. Cabrera has been sidelined since May 3 with the right hamstring strain, so ensuring that he's able to run without any discomfort is a valid concern for the Tigers.
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Daniel Vogelbach DH | TOR
Mariners' Daniel Vogelbach: Shipped back to Triple-A
The Mariners optioned Vogelbach to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, TJ Cotterill of The Tacoma News Tribune reports.
As a lightly used reserve first baseman/designated hitter, Vogelbach was a prime candidate to surrender his spot on the active roster after the Mariners acquired Alex Colome and Denard Span from the Rays on Friday. Vogelbach appeared in three games during his latest stint with the Mariners, going 1-for-6 with three walks and a run scored.
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Byron Buxton CF | MIN
Twins' Byron Buxton: In lineup Sunday after collision
Buxton (head) will start in center field and bat ninth Sunday against the Mariners, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
It appeared that Buxton might have suffered yet another medical setback after he was removed from Saturday's game against the Mariners shortly after colliding with the outfield wall at full speed while tracking a flyball. Fortunately for the Twins, Buxton exhibited no concussion symptoms upon being examined by team trainers, coming away from the incident with little more than a cut above his eye. With Buxton experiencing no unexpected soreness upon reporting to the ballpark Sunday, manager Paul Molitor had no qualms about inserting the outfielder back into the lineup.
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Cardinals' Marcell Ozuna: Continues hot hitting Saturday
Ozuna went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Pirates on Saturday.
Ozuna's emergence continues, as he's now rapped out multiple hits in four of the last five games and on eight occasions overall during May. Since May 2, the slugging outfielder has pushed his season average up 22 points to .265, a figure that still has plenty of room for improvement, but that is trending in the right direction.