MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI, two walks and two stolen bases Friday in a 4-3 extra-innings victory versus Atlanta.

Ohtani's first theft came in the third inning, and it led to Los Angeles' first run, as Will Smith followed with a two-out RBI single. It looked like Ohtani would be picked off in the eighth frame, but Matt Olson mishandled the throw to first base, allowing the Japanese superstar to make it to second base safely. Ohtani later came up with a huge hit in the bottom of the 10th, stroking a one-out single to center field to plate the tying run after Atlanta had scored in the top of the frame. Ohtani continues to put up big numbers for the Dodgers and for fantasy managers, as he's slashing .336/.405/.612 with seven homers, 20 RBI, 26 runs and seven steals (in seven attempts) through 153 plate appearances.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a walk Friday in a 7-1 victory versus Arizona.

Machado accounted for the Padres' final two runs in the victory with his fifth-inning blast. The homer extended his hitting streak to five games, though he's notched exactly one hit in each contest and is batting just .238 during that stretch. Machado does have six RBI during the hitting streak, though, which is more than he had accumulated in his previous 20 games combined.

Calhoun went 3-for-4 with a double and a run Friday in a 6-0 win against the Guardians.

Calhoun started at DH and batted cleanup in his first action with Los Angeles after being called up from Triple-A on Wednesday. The veteran was productive in his first game with the big club, and he scored the team's second run following a fourth-inning double. With Miguel Sano (knee) and Anthony Rendon (hamstring) among a bevy of Angels on the injured list, Calhoun could see semi-regular starts at designated hitter, though manager Ron Washington has shifted various players into the DH role throughout the campaign.

Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a run scored Friday against the Mets.

Ramirez has started to see his playing time slip with righties on the mound, but he hit third in the order with lefty Jose Quintana starting for the Mets. Ramirez took advantage of the opportunity by recording multiple hits for the third time in his last 15 starts. Ramirez has only one home run across 115 plate appearances for the season, but he has 13 runs scored and 10 RBI.

The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Mervis was called up to the big club April 23 after a strong start in Triple-A, where he slashed .288/.402/.606 with six doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI over 82 plate appearances with Iowa. That hasn't translated to the majors, as he's gone 3-for-26 with three RBI and eight strikeouts over nine games, and manager Craig Counsell noted that Mervis needs to go "back to the drawing board" in Triple-A, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs called up infielder Miles Mastrobuoni in a corresponding move.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Padres.

Pederson had one of Arizona's three hits, a leadoff double in the fifth inning, and came in to score the team's lone run on a Eugenio Suarez single. Pederson leads the Diamondbacks in average (.318), on-base percentage (.447) and slugging (.515), but he's not an everyday starter. He serves as the primary DH against right-handers and has just four plate appearances against southpaws.

O'Hearn went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 3-0 win over the Reds.

O'Hearn has hit safely in his last six games, going 8-for-19 (.421) in that span. The homer was his first since April 16, but the 30-year-old continues to demolish right-handed pitching. He's up to a .307/.381/.573 slash line with five homers, 11 RBI, 13 runs scored, three doubles and a triple over 84 plate appearances this season. He should continue to see a strong-side platoon role, mainly as the designated hitter but also with occasional looks in the corner outfield or at first base.

Manager Alex Cora said Friday that Yoshida will get a second opinion on his strained left thumb, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Cora previously said Thursday that Yoshida may need to undergo surgery on his thumb after straining it during Sunday's win over the Cubs, but the 30-year-old will wait to hear from another doctor before determining the best course of action. Yoshida has slashed .275/.348/.388 with 11 RBI across 89 plate appearances this season, and an update on his status should be available within the next several days.

Langford is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Royals.

Langford started the previous 15 games and will receive a day to reset after he posted a .542 OPS during that stretch. Travis Jankowski will bat eighth as the designated hitter Friday for Texas.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers.

Velazquez has been less and less of an everyday option for the Royals as the team continues to trot out lineups with Salvador Perez as first base, Vinnie Pasquantino at DH and Freddy Fermin behind the dish. Velazquez hasn't done much to warrant an everyday role after starting the season red hot, managing just one hit in his last 27 at-bats.