MLB Player News

Ramirez went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-7 loss to the Yankees.

Ramirez homered off lefty reliever Lucas Luetge to lead off the sixth and give the Rays a 4-0 lead. Although this marks only the second extra-base hit in the last ten games for the outfielder, he has an outstanding .353 batting average in 34 at-bats during that span. In addition, the 27-year-old has excelled against lefties with a .947 OPS in 75 at-bats compared to a .769 OPS in 174 at-bats against right-handed pitching this year.

Ohtani went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run, a triple and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners.

Ohtani had a stellar day at the plate, sending Magneuris Sierra home on a fifth-inning single, David Fletcher home on a seventh-inning triple and Fletcher again on a ninth-inning homer. The superstar was a double shy of hitting for the cycle with two singles, a triple and a homer. The home run was Ohtani's 27th of the year and his fifth this month. He extended his hit streak to five games, which includes a three-hit and four-hit outing. During that span, Ohtani has increased his batting average from .253 to .265.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 victory over the Angels.

Winker scored early on a Carlos Santana single in the third inning, then launched a two-run shot in the sixth that scored Adam Frazier. It was Winker's 13th home run of the year and his fourth in August. In 37 at-bats this month, Winker has picked up nine hits and 12 walks but has also struck out 10 times giving the outfielder a .243/.420/.568 slash line.

Canha went 2-for-3 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Wednesday's 9-7 win over Atlanta.

Canha reached base three times in four plate appearances Wednesday, including via his 13th and 14th doubles of the season. Canha has garnered regular playing time despite New York's offseason additions and the fact he came into the night with a .212/.357/.273 slash line in August.

Beer was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.

Beer was recalled by Arizona at the start of August but will return to the minors after going 4-for-30 in 11 games. Overall, the 25-year-old has a .189/.278/.243 slash line with one home run and nine RBI in 126 plate appearances in the majors this season.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he's hoping Stanton (Achilles) heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Slowly but surely, Stanton has been ramping up his activities since he was cleared to start working out just over a week ago, but the Yankees have not yet formally etched out a timeline for him to report to the minors. Assuming Boone's prediction comes to pass and Stanton joins an affiliate this weekend, the 32-year-old would likely need at least a couple games to get comfortable at the plate and in the outfield before New York brings him back from the IL. A return at some point during the Yankees' two-game series with the Mets next Monday and Tuesday remains in play, but the four-game set in Oakland that begins Aug. 25 may be the more realistic target for Stanton.

McCutchen isn't starting Wednesday against the Dodgers.

McCutchen is getting a rare day off after he hit .222 with two doubles, five runs, two RBI, two walks and six strikeouts over the last seven games. Keston Hiura will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Ozuna remains out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mets.

Ozuna finds himself on the bench for the third game in a row, all of which have come against right-handed pitching. With Atlanta making more room of late at designated hitter for William Contreras and Eddie Rosario and in left field for Rosario and Robbie Grossman, the righty-hitting Ozuna looks like he might have to settle for a short-side platoon role, at best. Ozuna's declining playing time comes while he's slashed an ugly .184/.192/.329 with a 32.1 percent strikeout rate in 19 games since the All-Star break.

Harper (thumb) took a round of batting practice Wednesday and will do so again later this week before potentially beginning a minor-league rehab assignment next Tuesday, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Interim manager Rob Thomson said that if Harper's surgically repaired left thumb checks out fine following the two rounds of BP, the reigning National League MVP will likely report to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to resume game action. Before landing on the IL on June 26, Harper had been serving exclusively as a designated hitter for Philadelphia since mid-April due to a torn ligament in his right elbow. Despite having ample time off to heal, Harper doesn't look on track to play the outfield again in 2022, as he had his throwing program tabled earlier this month when he experienced some stiffness in the elbow. The playoff-hopeful Phillies would still obviously welcome Harper back in an offense-only role, and though an official timeline for his return hasn't been established, club officials told Lauber that the 29-year-old is expected to be activated on or around Sept. 1 if he remains free of setbacks over the next couple of weeks.

Morel isn't starting Wednesday against the Nationals.

Morel started the last three games but went just 1-for-9 with a solo homer, a walk and six strikeouts. Rafael Ortega is starting in center field and batting sixth.