MLB Player News
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Reaches 20 steals
Ohtani went 0-for-3 with two walks and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to Oakland.
Ohtani has gone 10 games without a homer, but he's reached base at a .479 clip over that stretch thanks largely to a 27.1 percent walk rate. The slugger has taken advantage of all the walks by swiping three bags during the homerless span, pushing his season total to 20 thefts. He and Ronald Acuna are the only big-leaguers so far this season with at least 30 homers and 20 steals. Ohtani is now one of eight players in MLB history to put up multiple 40-20 campaigns.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Belt: Away with stomach virus
Belt is being kept away from the Blue Jays on Monday because of a stomach virus, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Belt has missed time with a back issue recently, but it would appear the stomach virus is the main reason for his absence from the lineup for a second straight day. Consider him day-to-day. Vladimir Guerrero is at designated hitter and Spencer Horwitz is playing first base Monday.
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Brandon Belt DH | TOR
Blue Jays' Brandon Belt: Out with back injury
Belt (back) is not in the lineup for Monday's game in Oakland.
Belt has now missed three straight starts and five of the last six games with a nagging back issue. The Blue Jays haven't seemed concerned that it could lead to a stint on the injured list, but the odds that it will increase as his absence lingers. Vladimir Guerrero is at designated hitter and Spencer Horwitz is playing first base Monday.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: In lineup Monday
Alvarez (knee) is starting at designated hitter and batting third Monday versus the Rangers, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez banged his knee while playing the outfield in Sunday's loss to the Yankees, but he finished out that game and won't have to miss Monday's key division matchup against the Rangers. The slugger enters play Monday having reached base a whopping 22 times over his last eight games.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Out against left-hander
Pederson is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.
He'll take a seat with the Cubbies sending left-hander Justin Steele to the hill. Mitch Haniger will be in left field.
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Mike Ford DH | MIN
Mariners' Mike Ford: Belts solo blast Sunday
Ford went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a loss to the Mets on Sunday.
Ford went back-to-back with Dominic Canzone in leaving the yard during the fourth inning, allowing the Mariners to close a four-run deficit to one. Ford has reached safely in six straight games, an encouraging stretch during which he's posted a .333 average (5-for-15) with two homers, three RBI, three walks, a hit-by-pitch and four runs.
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Christopher Morel 1B | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Absent from lineup again
Morel is not in the lineup for Monday's contest versus the Giants, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Morel has now been on the bench for two straight after starting each of the previous three contests. Cody Bellinger is being used at designated hitter Monday.
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Spencer Horwitz 1B | PIT
Blue Jays' Spencer Horwitz: Blasts first career homer
Horwitz went 3-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's win over Colorado.
Horwitz was a last-minute lineup replacement for Brandon Belt, who was a late scratch due to back tightness. The rookie made an immediate impact in his first start since being recalled from Triple-A on Friday. His first career home run was a solo shot in the fourth. He followed that up with an RBI single in the fifth, then added another single in the seventh. Horwitz's playing time moving forward will likely hinge on how much time, if any, Belt is forced to miss.
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Yordan Alvarez DH | HOU
Astros' Yordan Alvarez: Dealing with knee issue
Alvarez banged his knee during Sunday's loss to the Yankees but was able to remain in the game, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Alvarez tripped while tracking down a flyball during Sunday's game but was able to remain in the contest following a lengthy discussion with a trainer. He went 1-for-4 in the loss, and manager Dusty Baker said after the matchup that the team will have to wait to see how Alvarez feels Monday before determining his status for the series opener against the Rangers.
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Mark Canha LF | TEX
Brewers' Mark Canha: Homer, stolen base Sunday
Canha went 2-for-4 with a home run, an RBI, a run scored and a steal in Sunday's 4-2 loss against Philadelphia.
Canha's been red hot of late, going 14-for-33 (.424) with a pair of homers in his last nine games. He extended Milwaukee's lead to 2-0 in the third inning Sunday with an opposite-field blast off Ranger Suarez. Overall, Canha's slashing .259/.354/.403 with nine homers, 42 runs scored, 46 RBI and eight steals across 413 plate appearances between the Brewers and Mets this season.