MLB Player News

Martini entered as a pinch hitter and hit a three-run home run in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.

Martini's three-run shot in the bottom of the eighth inning tied the game before Christian Encarnacion-Strand ended matters in the ninth. The home run was Martini's fourth in 46 plate appearances since the Reds added him to the roster in August. Prior to his stint with Cincinnati, the 33-year-old had just two homers in 333 PAs in the majors. Martini, who had an .874 OPS at Triple-A Louisville, was overlooked several times earlier this season as the club called up its younger prospects, but he may have had the biggest hit in the Reds' improbable season.

Ohtani remains day-to-day with right oblique tightness, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. "We'll see how he is [Wednesday] when he comes in," manager Phil Nevin said after Tuesday's game. "We'll have a conversation. But I think we dodged a bullet there as far as injury goes."

Tests on Ohtani's oblique showed no strain and "just a tiny bit of inflammation," per Nevin. Ohtani felt something in his oblique while taking batting practice Monday, but despite that, he pushed to play Tuesday. The Angels decided against it, but Ohtani's desire to continue hitting and the team downplaying his latest injury suggest he's not facing an imminent shutdown. His agent announced Monday that Ohtani is facing some sort of procedure on his elbow in the offseason, and the Angels are no longer in playoff contention, so an early shutdown can't be completely ruled out.

Morel went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run in Tuesday's 11-8 win over the Giants.

Morel entered the game as a pinch hitter in the third inning and made his mark in the seventh, hitting his 20th home run of the season with two runners on as the Cubs rallied for six runs in the frame. The 24-year-old has been out of the starting lineup the past three days, so he may have lost his grip on an everyday role, though he can still do some damage off the bench. Of course, fantasy managers would rather see Morel starting.

Belt (illness) isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup Tuesday against the Athletics.

A stomach virus kept Belt out of Monday's lineup, and the issue seems to still be bothering him ahead of Tuesday's contest. George Springer will serve as Toronto's DH while Belt recovers, allowing Cavan Biggio to start in right field and bat sixth.

Ohtani (oblique) will sit out Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani reportedly wanted to play Tuesday, but manager Phil Nevin opted to keep him on the bench while the team continues to evaluate his oblique injury. A torn UCL in Ohtani's right elbow has already eliminated any opportunity for the two-way phenom to pitch for the rest of the season, and test results on his oblique will determine how long he will be held out of the lineup.

Choi (ribs) is beginning a rehab assignment Tuesday with Triple-A El Paso.

Choi will serve as El Paso's designated hitter and bat third in his rehab debut against the Triple-A affiliate of the Rangers. Out since Aug. 14 due to a left rib strain, Choi could potentially return to the Padres sometime this weekend if all goes well on the farm.

Rooker isn't in the Athletics' lineup Tuesday against the Blue Jays.

Rooker will sit down Tuesday after starting September 3-for-14 with a homer, two RBI and three runs scored over four games. Rooker's absence will allow Tyler Soderstrom to serve as Oakland's DH and bat seventh.

Morel remains out of the lineup Tuesday versus the Giants.

There's no word of any injury, but this is Morel's third straight absence from the Cubs' starting lineup. It could be all performance-related, as the versatile 24-year-old has slumped to a .127/.215/.239 batting line over his last 79 plate appearances dating back to Aug. 3.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Washington, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Vogelbach started the past four games but will head to the bench Tuesday with lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound for the Nationals. Mark Vientos (foot) will bat fifth as the Mets' designated hitter in Vogelbach's place.

McCutchen (Achilles) is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Brewers.

McCutchen made an early exit from Monday's series opener against Milwaukee due to tightness in his left Achilles tendon and is considered day-to-day. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter Tuesday as Josh Palacios, Jack Suwinski and Miguel Andujar start across the outfield.