MLB Player News

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases and a run Wednesday in the Angels' 7-2 win over the Rangers.

Ohtani made his last start of the season as a pitcher Sunday, but he's still expected to bring plenty of value to fantasy managers over the final week of campaign as a designated hitter. Though he's endured a power drought of late with only two home runs in September, Ohtani has reached base at a prolific .406 clip this month while driving in 22, scoring 12 runs and stealing four bags.

Brantley served as the designated hitter and went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 7-0 loss to the Rays.

Brantley was reinstated off the injured list Wednesday after missing two-plus weeks due to a knee injury. The progress he made while rehabbing slowed, but Brantley is available to DH for now. His return should give a boost to Houston, which has lost five of its last six while scoring just 12 runs in the process.

Choi went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run and a walk in a 7-0 win over the Astros on Wednesday.

The first baseman broke the game open in the fifth inning, launching a three-run shot to right field to extend the Rays' lead from 3-0 to 6-0. Choi entered the game having gone 1-for-22 over his previous eight contests, so he'll look to use the big blast as momentum to turn things around as the regular season winds down. The 30-year-old has struggled through an injury-plagued campaign during which he is batting only .230 with 11 homers and 45 RBI through 80 games.

Martinez went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-0 win over Baltimore.

The designated hitter opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning, and he extended Boston's lead to 3-0 with a two-run double in the sixth. Martinez entered Wednesday just 2-for-13 in his last four games. The three-hit effort lifted his slash line to .287/.349/.522 with 28 homers, 99 RBI, 90 runs scored and 41 doubles through 619 plate appearances.

Buxton went 1-for-3 with two runs scored and a stolen base Wednesday against the Tigers. He also reached after being hit by a pitch.

Buxton singled in the first inning and came around to score on Jorge Polanco's three-run homer. He reached base again in the eighth after being plunked by Detroit reliever Joe Jimenez, then he stole second base and scored on Max Kepler's single. Buxton has swiped a bag in three of his last four games, giving him nine thefts in 10 attempts this season. He's hitting .292 with a .946 OPS in 235 plate appearances on the year.

Vogelbach went 2-for-4 with a single, a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 4-0 win over the Cardinals.

Vogelbach came up with the big hit Wednesday night, smashing a two-run homer off Miles Mikolas that staked the Brewers to a 3-0 lead. While he has taken on more of a bench role lately, Vogelbach remains a left-handed power threat as a pinch hitter.

Dickerson (foot) isn't starting Wednesday's game against Arizona, Amy Gutierrez of the Giants' official site reports.

Dickerson was removed from Tuesday's contest after he was hit by a pitch on the foot, but he underwent X-rays after the game that came back negative. He's still considered day-to-day, but Kris Bryant will shift to left field while Wilmer Flores starts at first base.

Solak is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

Solak went 5-for-18 with three walks and a stolen base while starting in six of the last eight games, but he'll head to the bench Wednesday while Andy Ibanez gets a turn at the keystone.

Turner is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Padres, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

Turner will head to the bench for the second time in the past three games after going 0-for-2 with two walks Tuesday. Chris Taylor will receive the start at the hot corner Wednesday for Los Angeles.

Manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday that Ohtani won't make another turn through the starting rotation but will continue to serve as the designated hitter for the final five games of the season, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani allowed one run over seven innings while recording 10 strikeouts in his last start Sunday versus the Mariners, and he won't end up taking the mound again after initially lining up to pitch the final game of the regular season. It's not exactly surprising the Angels will be extra cautious with the 27-year-old heading into the offseason, so he'll finish his 2021 pitching campaign with a 9-2 record, 3.18 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 156:44 K:BB across 130.1 innings (23 starts). The frontrunner for AL MVP, Ohtani will bat leadoff as the DH at Texas on Wednesday and is slated to remain in the lineup through the rest of the week.