MLB Player News

Morel is out of the lineup for Friday's contest versus the Diamondbacks.

Morel had started the last two games after being out of the lineup for the three prior contests. The Cubs are utilizing Mike Tauchman in the designated hitter spot Friday, with Cody Bellinger playing center field and Jeimer Candelario covering first base.

Ohtani (oblique) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Guardians, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani made progress Thursday, as he was spotted running in the outfield and also swung a bat for the first time since Sunday. However, he'll remain out of the lineup for the fourth straight game. Manager Phil Nevin noted that Ohtani could return to action "in a day or two."

Martinez (groin) went 1-for-4 with a double, a walk and three RBI on Wednesday in his second rehab game with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Martinez kicked off his rehab assignment Tuesday, going 0-for-4 as OKC's designated hitter. He was back in the same role Wednesday and came through with a key hit for the Triple-A affiliate, clubbing an eighth-inning double that plated three runs to give OKC the lead. Martinez appears on track to be activated from the IL and return to the big-league Dodgers on Friday.

Ohtani (oblique) didn't take any swings Wednesday as he had previously hoped to do, Anthony Bautista of The Sporting News reports.

The Angels had planned for Ohtani to take a few swings in the batting cage Wednesday to test out his right oblique after he had recently been cleared of any structural damage. However, after Ohtani went to the cage to get loosened up, he ultimately decided against swinging the bat. Angels manager Phil Nevin said Wednesday there are currently no plans to place Ohtani on the injured list, so he still seems to be viewed as day-to-day. Ohtani missed his third straight game Wednesday but could have a shot at playing in Thursday's series opener versus the Guardians.

Ford went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Ford struck out in two of his other three plate appearances, but he delivered a 400-foot shot to right with Ty France aboard in the second to erase an early 1-0 deficit and give the Mariners a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Ford has a modest four hits over his last four games, yet three of those have left the yard with the help of his 40.0 percent hard contact rate and 42.9 percent HR/FB rate in that sample.

Ohtani (oblique) isn't in the Angels' lineup Wednesday against the Orioles.

Tests revealed Wednesday that Ohtani is dealing with inflammation in his right oblique, so he will remain out of the Angels' lineup as he recovers. Matt Thaiss will serve as Los Angeles' DH and bat sixth against Baltimore.

Choi (ribs) fractured his ankle while playing in a rehab game with Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday, Annie Heilbrunn of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Choi was playing in his first rehab game with El Paso while working his way back from a rib injury he suffered in mid-August. Now that he's dealing with a fractured ankle with less than a month left in the season, Choi will likely be held out of action until 2024. He'll finish 2023 with a .179/.239/.440 slash line across 92 plate appearances between the Pirates and Padres.

Vogelbach is not in the lineup Wednesday versus the Nationals.

Mark Vientos will get another start in the DH role, this time against a right-hander in Joan Adon, after he recorded a triple and two runs scored in the Mets' win over lefty Patrick Corbin and the Nats on Tuesday. Vogelbach hasn't played since Sunday.

Soler was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right oblique strain, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler apparently suffered the oblique strain Tuesday in his first game back from a five-game absence for a bout of right hip tightness. It's another tough blow for the NL Wild Card-hunting Marlins, who also placed staff ace Sandy Alcantara on the injured list Wednesday because of a flexor strain. Soler leaves behind an .842 OPS with 35 homers and 71 RBI through 126 games on the year.

Soler is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Dodgers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Soler returned to action Tuesday following a five-game absence with a hip injury. He didn't suffer any known setback, so this would appear to be the Marlins simply easing him back into things. Josh Bell will be the designated hitter, with Luis Arraez shifting over to first base and Xavier Edwards getting a start at second.