MLB Player News

Ohtani left Saturday's game against the Astros as a pitcher due to a blister on his right index finger.

Ohtani remained in the game as the Angels' designated hitter, but he could only make it five innings (79 pitches) on the mound due to the blister issue. The AL MVP candidate allowed one run on six hits and two walks while striking out seven. Ohtani's status for his next start as a pitcher is up in the air.

Buxton (hip) is expected to return prior to the end of the regular season, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

Buxton hasn't yet resumed baseball activities, and manager Rocco Baldelli said Saturday that he doesn't expect the outfielder to return this weekend or early next week. However, the team still hopes that the 28-year-old will be able to contribute late in the year.

Ozuna will sit Saturday against Seattle.

Ozuna didn't make an appearance from Aug. 22 through Sep. 1, but he's since started six straight games in left field, posting a 1.008 OPS over that stretch. Eddie Rosario will fill that position Saturday.

Winker isn't in the lineup Saturday against Atlanta.

Winker is resting after he went 2-for-7 with a double, a run, three walks and a strikeout over the last three games. Sam Haggerty will start in left field and bat seventh.

Blackmon isn't starting Saturday against Arizona, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon has gone 0-for-13 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts over the last three games and will get a day off Saturday. C.J. Cron is serving as the designated hitter and batting third.

The Mets will call up Vientos from Triple-A Syracuse on Saturday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

Contact concerns may ultimately prevent Vientos from making the most of his considerable power, but he hits the ball hard enough that he may be able to find success despite the whiffs. That's been the case for him in 101 games for Triple-A Syracuse this year, as he's struck out 28.6 percent of the time but still managed to hit .283/.361/.524 with 24 home runs. He isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins but could earn at-bats at third base or designated hitter down the stretch, especially against lefties.

Reyes isn't in the lineup Saturday against San Francisco.

Reyes hit .333 with a double, three RBI, two runs, three walks and six strikeouts over his last six games and will get a breather Saturday. Rafael Ortega is serving as the designated hitter and batting fifth.

Stanton (foot) is starting Saturday against the Rays, Marly Rivera of ESPN.com reports.

Stanton was out of the lineup for the last four games, but he appeared off the bench Thursday and Friday. The 32-year-old is serving as the designated hitter and batting second Saturday.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Friday against the Athletics.

Jimenez took A.J. Puk yard in the ninth inning, which began a five-run rally to give the White Sox a win. He's now homered in three consecutive games, which has brought his total on the season to 12. Jimenez is also riding a modest four-game hitting streak, during which he's gone 8-for-17 with six RBI and five runs scored. On the campaign, Jimenez has a .306/.374/.502 line across 246 plate appearances.

Ford isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Edwin Perez of MLB.com reports.

Ford is getting a breather after he went 1-for-7 with a solo home run and two strikeouts over the last two games. Matt Thaiss is starting at first base and batting sixth.