MLB Player News

Ruf isn't starting Thursday against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ruf will be out of the lineup for a second consecutive game after he went 4-for-11 with a homer, two doubles, four RBI and two runs over his last five contests. Tommy La Stella is serving as the designated hitter while David Villar starts at third base.

Blackmon isn't starting Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon is sitting for the second time in the last four matchups after he went 0-for-6 with two walks and three strikeouts over the last two games. Connor Joe, Yonathan Daza and Randal Grichuk are starting in the outfield from left to right while Kris Bryant serves as the designated hitter.

Cabrera is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Unless he's used off the bench, Cabrera will put his 12-game hitting streak on hold while Harold Castro replaces him as the Tigers' designated hitter. Cabrera is likely just getting some maintenance after he made four starts in three days during the Tigers' series sweep of the Guardians while going 6-for-13 with two walks, six RBI and two runs in those contests.

General manager Jerry Dipoto said Thursday that he hopes Lewis (concussion) will rejoin the major-league club before the end of July, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Although Lewis recently began a rehab assignment, Dipoto said that the 26-year-old's return from the 7-day injured list isn't yet imminent. Lewis has gone 0-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and two strikeouts while serving as a designated hitter over his first two rehab games with High-A Everett, but the Mariners want to see him get more work in the outfield before he's cleared to rejoin the major-league club.

Vogelbach is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Reds.

Vogelbach will take a seat in the day game Thursday after he went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Wednesday's loss to the Yankees. Bryan Reynolds will slide over to designated hitter while Bligh Madris enters the lineup in left field and bats seventh in Game 1.

Ohtani (8-4) picked up the win Wednesday, allowing one unearned run on two hits and three walks over seven innings in a 5-2 victory over the Marlins. He struck out 10.

The two-way superstar also gave himself all the run support he would need on the mound, going 1-for-4 with a walk, a run scored, two RBI and a stolen base. Ohtani hasn't given up an earned run in nearly a month, winning five straight starts and fanning double-digit batters in three straight. On the season he boasts a 2.44 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 111:20 K:BB through 81 innings while also supplying an .839 OPS, 18 homers, 10 steals, 48 runs and 53 RBI in 343 plate appearances.

Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals.

Ozuna hit a solo shot in the fifth inning to put Atlanta on the board. The designated hitter is having arguably his best month of the year, slashing .261/.261/.696 after picking up at least one hit in five of six games. He has just three strikeouts during that span and has taken his batting average from .223 to .229. The homer in Wednesday's game was his third of the month after he hit four in all of June. Ozuna is up to 17 home runs on the season.

Stanton went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's victory over Pittsburgh.

Stanton launched a ninth-inning solo shot to add to New York's lead. It was his second home run in his last four games and his 21st for the year. Stanton had gone hitless in his previous two games, and his batting average dropped again Wednesday with the 1-for-5 showing. Stanton has four strikeouts in five July games and has only three hits and with a .143/.217/.429 line so far this month.

Ruf hit a two-run home run in his only at-bat during Wednesday's 7-5 win against Arizona.

With the Giants trailing by two in the eighth inning, Ruf was brought in to pinch hit for Lamonte Wade. The former smashed a 429-foot, two-run shot to left field to tie the game. Ruf didn't remain in the contest to play defense, but his mark was already made, and San Francisco ultimately pulled out the win. Ruf's homer was his first since June 22 and his seventh of the campaign. He slugged a career-high 16 long balls over 262 at-bats last season.

Jimenez (hamstring) went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI on Wednesday against the Twins.

Jimenez was in the lineup for the first time since April 23 after being activated from the 60-day injured list. He took Joe Ryan deep in the fourth inning -- his second plate appearance -- to tally his second homer of the season. Jimenez hit sixth in the White Sox lineup but could move up in the order once he shakes off more of the rust.