MLB Player News

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a solo home run Sunday in the Angels' 4-1 win over the Athletics.

Ohtani's leadoff long ball in the bottom of the first inning staked the Angels to an early 1-0 lead that the team maintained the rest of the way. He's now up to nine home runs on the season, placing him behind only Mike Trout (12) for the team lead.

Belt received a cortisone shot and had his knee drained Sunday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Belt was unavailable for the Giants' weekend series against the Padres and has landed on the injured list for the second time this season. However, he's optimistic that he'll be able to return after spending the minimum of 10 days on the IL. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores should see additional time at first base while Belt is sidelined.

The Giants moved Belt to the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Padres with right knee inflammation.

Belt didn't play in either of the Giants' first two games of the weekend before the team elected to place him on the IL for the second time this season, after he was previously on the COVID-19-related IL. The Giants will deactivate Belt with the hope that the swelling in his right knee subsides over the next week and allows him to return after a minimum-length or near-minimum stay on the shelf. Darin Ruf and Wilmer Flores will likely see most of the work at first base while Belt is on the IL.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

The lefty-hitting Pederson will take a seat with southpaw MacKenzie Gore on the bump for San Diego in the series finale. The righty-hitting Darin Ruf replaces Pederson in left field.

Belt is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres.

It's unclear whether the lefty-hitting Belt's absence from the starting nine for the series finale is a result of southpaw MacKenzie Gore starting for the Padres or continued discomfort in the first baseman's right knee (or a combination of both). In any case, Belt will be on the bench for the third day in a row, which allows Wilmer Flores to pick up a start at first base.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Blackmon will get a breather after he started in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader. The 35-year-old went 1-for-8 between the two games and saw his six-game hitting streak come to an end in Game 2 of the twin bill. With Blackmon on the bench Sunday, the Rockies will roll out an outfield of Kris Bryant, Yonathan Daza and Randal Grichuk from left to right.

Morel is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Morel started each of the past four games at three different positions, going a collective 4-for-14 with a home run, a stolen base, two walks, two runs and two RBI. Though the Cubs don't have a spot available for Morel in the everyday lineup, he should play regularly against left-handed pitching while he's up with the big club.

Martinez was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mariners due to back spasms, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports.

Martinez was slated to start Sunday before being scratched a few minutes before first pitch. The severity of the injury is unclear, but he'll have Monday's scheduled off day to be evaluated before potentially missing additional time. Christian Arroyo will serve as Boston's designated hitter in his place.

Pederson went 2-for-2 with a double and a walk in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Padres.

Pederson was the only Giant to log multiple hits in the low-scoring contest. The outfielder hadn't posted a multi-hit game since April 24, going just 4-for-46 (.087) in the 17 games in between. That brutal slump dropped his slash line to .239/.308/.500 with seven home runs, 14 RBI, 13 runs scored, three doubles and a stolen base through 104 plate appearances. He'll continue to play against most right-handed pitchers while sitting against many southpaws.

Torrens is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Boston.

Torrens has a .467 OPS and 34 percent strikeout rate through 14 games in May and will head to the bench Sunday. Cal Raleigh will take over behind the plate and bat eighth.