MLB Player News

Ohtani (back) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani's absence from the starting nine was fully expected after he was removed from Saturday's 5-0 win over the Padres following his fourth at-bat of the night due to lower-back tightness. According to ESPN.com, manager Dave Roberts said he had minimal concern about Ohtani's health, but the star designated hitter will nonetheless sit out the series finale in San Diego. The Dodgers are seemingly hopeful that Ohtani can return to the lineup for Monday's series opener in San Francisco.

Ramirez isn't in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez went 0-for-7 with two strikeouts over the first two games of the series. He will begin Sunday's game in the dugout as the Yankees send right-hander Luis Gil to the hill. Randy Arozarena will serve as the designated hitter Sunday, while Jonny DeLuca and Jose Siri start in left and center field, respectively.

Turner is out of the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale against Minnesota.

Turner will get a day off in the series finale as the Blue Jays hand Daniel Vogelbach a start at designated hitter in his stead. The 39-year-old has gone hitless over his last three games and is 3-for-30 with two runs and one RBI in May.

Bryant (back) is likely to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday, MLB.com reports.

Bryant hasn't played since April 13 due to a lower-back strain, but he took a major step forward in his recovery by taking batting practice Friday and Saturday. According to the report, Bryant displayed even more power in Saturday's live BP session than Friday's, leaving the Rockies optimistic that he'll soon be ready to rejoin the big club. Bryant will report to Albuquerque on Tuesday, and if all goes well in his rehab assignment, manager Bud Black left the door open for the four-time All-Star to return to the big club in advance of Friday's series opener in San Francisco.

McCutchen went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a walk and two runs scored Saturday against the Cubs.

McCutchen entered the game with just four hits across his last 43 at-bats while striking out at a 27.5 percent clip. He came through with a clutch home run to lead off the sixth frame of Saturday's contest, his fourth time leaving the yard on the season. McCutchen has a .288 wOBA and 84 wRC+ across 124 total plate appearances on the campaign, though he continues to serve as Pittsburgh's primary designated hitter.

Ohtani was removed from Saturday's game versus the Padres due to back tightness, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his level of concern regarding the injury is "minimal," but the skipper is leaning toward holding Ohtani out of Sunday's lineup as a precaution. Roberts will wait to see how Ohtani feels Sunday morning before making a final determination. Before exiting Saturday's contest, Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Saturday in a loss to Atlanta.

Three Atlanta pitchers combined to no-hit New York over 8.2 innings before Martinez slugged a solo shot off Raisel Iglesias to end the bid at history. The long ball was Martinez's first as a Met in his 48th plate appearance. Though his power didn't emerge until Saturday, Martinez has put up a steady .267/.313/.378 slash line through 14 games.

Schwarber (back) is hoping to return to the Philadelphia lineup Monday or Tuesday versus the Mets, Corey Seidman of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Schwarber exited Friday's 8-2 win over the Marlins and missed Saturday's 8-3 win with a sore back. He'll remain on the bench for Sunday's series finale, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. The Phillies are planning to give Bryce Harper at day at designated hitter Sunday.

Calhoun is not in Saturday's lineup against the Royals.

Calhoun was in the lineup against a lefty Wednesday, but he'll take a seat in this one against southpaw Cole Ragans. Look for Calhoun to play regularly as the designated hitter when the Angels face a right-handed pitcher.

St. Louis activated Carpenter (oblique) from the 10-day injured list prior to Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Jose Fermin had been leading off against lefties, but with the Cardinals set to face three right-handed starters in a row, Fermin was sent to Triple-A Memphis, and the lefty-hitting Carpenter was added to the active roster. The 38-year-old designated hitter went 3-for-10 with a run scored in three games before getting injured April 1.