MLB Player News

The Rays have hired Ford for a front-office role, Kristie Ackert of the Associated Press reports.

Ford began last season at Triple-A St. Paul in the Twins organization before finishing it in Japan. The 33-year-old Princeton grad slashed .205/.298/.402 with 37 home runs over parts of six major-league seasons.

Bell went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Bell was the only Minnesota player to collect multiple hits Thursday, and he logged the team's only extra-base knock with a solo shot off Jack Flaherty in the fourth inning. The 33-year-old Bell went 7-for-14 in the four-game series against the Tigers, driving in three runs. He's now slashing .317/.431/.634 with three home runs, 10 RBI, 11 runs scored and an 8:14 BB:K across 51 plate appearances on the season.

Rooker was pulled from Thursday's game against the Yankees in the first inning due to right flank discomfort, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rooker tweaked his side on a swing and was removed from the contest mid at-bat. He will undergo imaging Friday, Gallegos adds, before more is known about Rooker's condition, but a trip to the injured list could be in the cards. If Rooker is forced to miss time, it could result in additional playing time for Carlos Cortes and/or Andy Ibanez.

Rooker departed Thursday's game versus the Yankees in the first inning with an undisclosed injury, the "Talkin' Baseball" podcast by Jomboy Media reports.

Rooker took a healthy cut at a Ryan Weathers changeup and fouled it off but looked to tweak something in the process. He was visited by the Athletics trainer and quickly retreated to the clubhouse. The A's should provide more clarity on Rooker's injury soon. Lawrence Butler replaced Rooker in Thursday's contest.

Buxton went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and three runs scored in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Tigers.

This was the second multi-hit effort of the season for Buxton, who has struggled to get much going at the plate. He's also drawn a walk in three straight games. The outfielder is batting .214 with a .625 OPS through 11 contests, and he's added one RBI, eight runs, three doubles and one triple, through he's yet to hit a home run or attempt a stolen base. Buxton has been atop the lineup for the last three games, including one against a right-handed pitcher, but he'll need to build off this performance to avoid dropping down the order.

Ohtani didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against the Blue Jays, allowing one unearned run on four hits and a walk across six innings while striking out two. He went 0-for-3 with a walk at the plate.

Ohtani has delivered back-to-back quality starts to open his season on the mound. He's yet to give up an earned run across 12 innings, allowing just five hits and four walks while striking out eight in that span. Ohtani's next outing on the mound is tentatively scheduled for next week at home against the Mets. His hitless performance Wednesday ended a modest five-game hit streak, during which he went 9-for-24 with a double and three homers.

Soler was suspended seven games by Major League Baseball on Wednesday for his involvement in a brawl during Tuesday's game with Atlanta, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports. Soler is appealing the suspension.

Soler charged the mound and traded punches with Atlanta pitcher Reynaldo Lopez after high inside pitch from Lopez in the fifth inning. Earlier in the game, Soler homered in his first plate appearance and was hit by a pitch by Lopez his second time up. The 34-year-old Soler will continue to be available to play for the Angels as the appeals process plays out.

Vientos will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Vientos will remain in the starting nine for an eighth straight contest after going 9-for-23 with a home run, two doubles, five runs and two RBI over the previous seven games. Though he had been limited to a short-side platoon role to begin the season, Vientos should be in line for a regular spot in the lineup versus both left- and right-handed pitching while Juan Soto (calf) is on the injured list.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

For the third time in four games, Ozuna will hit the bench after getting off to a porous start to the season. Over 35 plate appearances, the veteran slugger is slashing just .065/.171/.065. Ozuna is still walking at a 11.4 percent clip, and his strikeout rate sits at a manageable 22.9 percent, so he'll have some hope for a turnaround if he can benefit from some better luck on balls in play.

Soler was ejected from Tuesday's game against Atlanta after getting into a fight with Reynaldo Lopez.

Soler entered Tuesday's contest batting .591 (13-for-22) against Lopez, and he continued his success against the right-hander by hitting a two-run home run during his first at-bat of the game. After getting hit by a pitch during his second plate appearance, the 34-year-old avoided a pitch near his head when he stepped to the plate for the third time and subsequently charged the mound. Both players were ejected from the game after trading punches, and there's a good chance they will receive additional discipline from Major League Baseball.