MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to Houston on Wednesday.

Ohtani connected on a two-run shot off Astros closer Ryan Pressly in the ninth inning to bring the Angels to within a run, but the team was unable to complete the comeback. The long ball was the first so far in May for the two-way star, though he's otherwise performed well with a .290 average, three doubles and six RBI this month. Ohtani is up to eight homers on the campaign, tied for second on the Angels behind Hunter Renfroe (10).

Reyes elected free agency Thursday.

Reyes was designated for assignment Monday and will now look for another opportunity elsewhere after a disappointing tenure with the Royals. Over 19 games with Kansas City, he batted .186 with two homers, seven RBI and five runs scored while striking out 24 times over 59 at-bats. After a hot start to his major-league career in 2018, Reyes has struggled to find any groove over the last couple seasons.

Carpenter is not in the Padres' lineup Thursday in Minnesota.

The Twins are starting right-hander Bailey Ober, but Carpenter will take a seat as Manny Machado serves as the designated hitter and Ha-Seong Kim plays third base. Rougned Odor will get a shot at the keystone.

Morel went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-4 win over the Cardinals.

Starting for the second straight night, Morel once again collected two hits and put together a nice box score. It's too early to tell exactly what his role will be, but the 23-year-old has talent and showed plenty of potential as a rookie last year. He's worth keeping an eye on in fantasy leagues.

McCutchen went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to Colorado.

McCutchen extended Pittsburgh's lead to 3-0 in the third inning with a two-run shot off Antonio Senzatela, his seventh home run of the year. Following a 1-for-19 stretch, the 36-year-old McCutchen has gone 4-for-6 with three RBI in his last two contests. He's slashing .255/.366/.491 with 18 RBI and 17 runs scored through 134 plate appearances this season.

Turner is making his first start at third base this season for the Red Sox on Wednesday in Atlanta, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Turner has made eight starts at first base in addition to 27 at designated hitter, but this will be his first time at his customary hot corner. Rafael Devers is getting a day off.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said Wednesday that Brantley (shoulder) returned to Houston for further testing after the veteran outfielder/designated hitter experienced renewed soreness while out on his rehab assignment, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The Astros don't seem to think Brantley had a setback with his surgically-repaired right shoulder. Rather, Baker believes Brantley is simply "more sore than usual because he played a lot" during his rehab assignment. A better idea with regard to Brantley's potential return date should come once he gets checked out, but the hope is that he can rejoin the team this weekend. When he's activated could be another matter.

Canha is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

Canha's absence from the starting nine opens up a spot at the keystone for Luis Guillorme, while Jeff McNeil shifts to left field. The 34-year-old Canha has endured a slow start to May, slashing .192/.250/.346 through his first eight games of the month.

Ozuna is absent from Atlanta's lineup Wednesday against the Red Sox, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Atlanta is going with Sean Murphy in the designated hitter spot and Travis d'Arnaud at catcher. Ozuna had started each of the last seven contests.

Belt will serve as Toronto's designated hitter and No. 6 batter in Wednesday's game in Philadelphia.

Belt sat out against two of the four right-handed pitchers the Blue Jays faced in Boston last week, but he now finds himself in the starting nine versus a righty for the fourth day in a row. Though he benefited from Vladimir Guerrero being sidelined with a wrist injury for two of those games, Belt has earned back a strong-side platoon role by going 5-for-10 with three doubles, three walks, five runs and two RBI. Expect the lefty-hitting Belt to remain out of the lineup when the Blue Jays face southpaws, however.