MLB Player News

Choi is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale against the Angels, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

With left-hander Patrick Sandoval on the mound Thursday, Choi will ride the pine for the fifth time in six games. Harold Ramirez will shift to first base while Jose Siri enters the lineup in center field after some shuffling versus Los Angeles.

Ramirez went 1-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 4-3 extra-innings victory over the Angels.

Ramirez went hitless in his first four at-bats but got it done when it mattered most, lacing a double in the 11th to score Jose Siri and tie the game before coming around to score himself on a throwing error by Jared Walsh. With Wednesday's two-bagger, the outfielder is now hitting .343 since returning from a thumb injury on Aug. 16 and has not yet lost playing time since Manuel Margot's return to play. Expect manager Kevin Cash to continue riding Ramirez's hot hand.

Morel isn't starting Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Morel is resting after he hit .300 with a homer, a double, three runs and two RBI over the last seven games. Rafael Ortega will start in center field and bat sixth.

Manager Aaron Boone confirmed Tuesday that Stanton (Achilles) remains on track to return from the 10-day injured list Thursday in Oakland, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.

While serving as a designated hitter and playing back-to-back rehab games at Double-A Somerset last weekend, Stanton went 0-for-7 with three strikeouts, but he didn't experience any discomfort in his left Achilles' tendon. Stanton rejoined the Yankees and took live batting practice Tuesday against rehabbing pitcher Luis Severino (lat), with the slugger apparently coming out of that workout feeling fine in what represented the final test of his health. Once Stanton is reinstated from the IL on Thursday, the Yankees are expected to limit Stanton's exposure to the outfield, at least initially, but he should handle DH duties on a near-everyday basis. He was hitting .228 with 24 home runs and 61 RBI through 80 games before landing on the IL on July 26.

Ford signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Aug. 16 and has gone 5-for-23 over his first six games at Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels are Ford's fourth organization of the season, after he began the year with the Mariners before being moved to San Francisco, back to Seattle and then to Atlanta. He cleared waivers when Atlanta designated him for assignment earlier this month, and he was later granted his release to pursue work elsewhere. Ford quickly found a home with the Angels, who will likely be able to present him with a clearer path to playing time if he were to reach the big leagues later this season. Shohei Ohtani is entrenched as the Angels' designated hitter, but Ford could be an option at first base if the team elects to demote or bench Jared Walsh, who is slashing .157/.235/.269 since the All-Star break.

Jimenez (elbow) isn't starting Wednesday against Baltimore.

Jimenez was hit by a pitch late in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles, but he underwent X-rays after the game that came back negative. Whether he's available off the bench Wednesday remains to be seen, but Jose Abreu will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts at first base.

Belt was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation Wednesday.

Belt has been bothered by his knee issue for most of the year, and he was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers after the injury flared up. He was slated to miss a second consecutive game Wednesday and will ultimately be held out for at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with inflammation. J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores should see additional playing time at first base in Belt's absence, while Bryce Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Miller isn't starting Wednesday against Colorado.

Although the Rangers are facing a right-handed pitcher once again Wednesday, Miller will take a seat for a second consecutive game. Nathaniel Lowe is serving as the designated hitter while Mark Mathias enters the lineup at first base.

Blackmon isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers.

Blackmon is getting a breather after he went 6-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run over the last three games. Randal Grichuk will shift to right field while Wynton Bernard starts in center.

Belt (knee) isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Belt was scratched from Tuesday's lineup after a knee injury flared up, and he'll be held out of the starting nine for a second consecutive game. There's some concern that the issue could impact him for the remainder of his career, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. However, it's not yet clear whether he'll require an IL stint. Whether he's available off the bench Wednesday remains to be seen, but Wilmer Flores will shift to first base while Tommy La Stella serves as the designated hitter.