MLB Player News

Morel isn't in the Cubs' lineup Friday versus the Cardinals.

Morel will get a breather Friday after putting together a five-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-20 with a homer, six RBI and six runs scored. Yan Gomes will take over as Chicago's designated hitter, allowing Miguel Amaya to start behind the plate and bat ninth.

Buxton is absent from the lineup Friday at Kansas City.

Buxton is back from paternity leave, but he'll be on the bench as the Twins open a three-game series against the Royals. Matt Wallner is taking a turn at designated hitter and hitting sixth.

Meneses is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

It looks to be a rare day off for Meneses. The Nationals are giving Jeimer Candelario a start in the designated hitter spot and covering third base with Ildemaro Vargas.

Ohtani (cramps) is serving as the Angels' designated hitter and batting second Friday at Toronto.

Ohtani was pulled from the second half of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers due to cramps, but all is well leading into the Angels' three-game weekend set versus the Blue Jays. The two-way superstar has posted a sensational 1.070 OPS with 38 homers, 80 RBI, 12 steals and 79 runs through 101 games this season. He's also pitched to a 3.43 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 156:50 K:BB in 20 starts covering 120.2 innings.

Morel went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 10-3 victory over the Cardinals.

Morel gave Chicago a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run double, extending his hit streak to five games. He's gone 14-for-41 (.341) with 10 RBI and an .877 OPS in 12 games since the All-Star break. Overall, Morel is slashing .281/.343/.891 with 16 homers, 48 RBI, 44 runs scored and four steals through 246 plate appearances this season.

Ohtani (cramping) is expected to be in the lineup to serve as the designated hitter Friday against Blue Jays, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani exited the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Tigers with cramping, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious. He had an incredible day, pitching a complete-game shutout in the first contest before blasting two homers in the latter matchup before his exit.

Ohtani was removed from Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against Detroit due to cramping, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani put up a performance for the ages Thursday, pitching a complete-game shutout in Game 1 and blasting two homers during the nightcap. He seemed to be grabbing at his back while rounding the bases after his second home run and was later pinch hit for. Fantasy managers should consider Ohtani day-to-day for now.

Buxton was activated from the paternity leave list Thursday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Twins are off Thursday, but Buxton will be back in action this weekend in Kansas City. He's just 3-for-33 with 17 strikeouts at the plate so far in the second half.

Ohtani will serve as the Angels' starting pitcher in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader with the Tigers, MLB.com reports.

Heading into the week, Ohtani was lined up to take the hill for Friday's series opener in Toronto, but the Angels opted to move him up a day in the pitching schedule after Wednesday's postponement created a twin bill for the series finale in Detroit. Ohtani will bat second for the Angels in Game 1, and manager Phil Nevin already indicated that the two-way superstar will serve as the Angels' designated hitter in Game 2. Ohtani should have a busy day ahead of him Thursday, and expect the Angels to get everything they can out of the pending free agent over the next two months after Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday that the Halos have elected to take the 29-year-old off the trade market.

Rooker (illness) went 1-for-4 with a strikeout in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Giants.

Rooker was back in the starting nine for the first time since last Wednesday. With right fielder Ramon Laureano back from the injured list and Tony Kemp holding down a starting job in left field, Rooker's likely to be limited to designated hitter in the near term. That may not result in an everyday role for the 28-year-old, who is slashing .239/.331/.464 with 16 home runs, 44 RBI, 33 runs scored and two stolen bases over 84 contests this season. He's hitting a modest .233 in July, but he may have to settle for short-side platoon duty.