MLB Player News

Ramirez is in the Rays' lineup at designated hitter for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader with Boston, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Ramirez was initially absent from the lineup, but a late scratch of Luke Raley puts Ramirez back in as Tampa Bay's DH. Ramirez started the season hot but has cooled off recently, slashing .189/.231/.378 over the past two weeks.

Ramirez will hit the bench for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Like many Rays, Ramirez plays frequently but not every day, as his trip to the bench here means he's started 40 of the team's first 59 games. That puts him on pace for 110 starts across a full season. Luke Raley will be the designated hitter in the afternoon contest, but there's a good chance Ramirez returns for the nightcap.

Ford, called up from Triple-A Tacoma earlier in the day, went 1-for-3 in a loss to the Rangers on Friday.

The 30-year-old drew the start at designated hitter and was able to contribute a single in his first taste of big-league action this season. Ford generated a lackluster .206/.302/.313 slash line across 149 plate appearances with a whopping four major-league teams in 2022, and even with his success thus far this minor-league season in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, it remains to be seen how much he can contribute outside of the occasional power numbers.

Ohtani (5-2) allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out six over six innings to take the loss Friday versus the Astros. He also went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts as a batter.

Ohtani couldn't get much going on either side of the ball Friday. On the bump, he's had continued troubles with the long ball -- this was the fourth time in his last seven starts that he's allowed multiple home runs. In those four starts, he's given up a combined 19 runs over 23 innings. Ohtani's now gone three outings without a win, and his ERA is up to 3.30 with a 1.01 WHIP and 96:29 K:BB through 71 innings over 12 starts. The two-way star is next scheduled to take the mound versus the Mariners next week.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 6-2 win over the Angels.

Alvarez had a rather quiet week going into Friday -- he was just 1-for-14 with two walks and five strikeouts over his previous four games -- but he made an early impact with a first-inning homer off Shohei Ohtani. Alvarez is the first player in the majors with 50 RBI this year, which is a benefit of being a productive hitter in the heart of a strong lineup. He's slashing .279/.391/.585 with 15 homers, 37 runs scored and 11 doubles through 51 contests, though he's faded a bit lately by hitting safely in just three of his last 10 games.

Pederson (hand) will begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Low-A San Jose, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.

Pederson will get a chance to face live pitching again after being placed on the IL on May 13 with a bruised right hand. The outfielder will likely need a few rehab games in the minors, but he could return as an everyday option for the Giants in the middle of next week.

Ruf was pulled from the Brewers' game against Cincinnati on Friday due to a right knee laceration, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Ruf came up bleeding after colliding with the tarp while chasing a foul ball. It's not yet clear how much time he might miss due to the injury.

Ruf was pulled from Friday's game against the Reds with an apparent injury, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Ruf ran into the tarp while chasing a foul ball and came up bleeding from his leg. He should be considered day-to-day for the time being.

Buxton (ribs) will likely miss multiple games, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The good news is that Buxton's ribs aren't broken after he was hit by a pitch in Thursday's contest, but he is still in a lot of pain. Alex Kirilloff will serve as Minnesota's designated hitter Friday, moving Joey Gallo into left field and Donovan Solano in as the Twins' first baseman.

Ozuna is not in the lineup Friday against the Diamondbacks.

Travis d'Arnaud will operate as Atlanta's designated hitter and bat fifth with right-hander Merrill Kelly on the mound for Arizona. Ozuna has gone 1-for-20 with six strikeouts over his last five games. He holds an overall .726 OPS this year versus righties and an .805 OPS versus lefties.