MLB Player News

Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Ohtani's (knee/biceps) workout went well Saturday, and as long as things continue in this direction, "I see him in there [Monday]," Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Roberts had been keeping the door open for a possible IL stint for Ohtani, but that now sounds unlikely in light of Ohtani's progress. Ohtani hit in the batting cage Saturday and did not report any soreness. He will miss a fourth consecutive start Sunday night against the Nationals. While he appears on the verge of his return as a hitter, Ohtani is considered unlikely to pitch again this season.

Moniak went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI in Sunday's 10-8 loss to the Cardinals.

Moniak hit an RBI single in the first inning and then added his homer in the third, both off Kyle Leahy. Prior to Sunday, Moniak had gone 0-for-7 over his last three games, and he had gone 12 contests without a homer. For the season, the veteran outfielder is batting .251 with a .791 OPS, 22 homers, 64 RBI, 47 runs scored, 16 doubles, four triples and one stolen base over 103 games.

McCarthy went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, three total RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-8 loss to the Cardinals.

McCarthy is batting .324 (12-for-37) over his last nine games, adding five extra-base hits and four steals in that span. The outfielder is also up to 75 RBI on the year, a strong number for a player who has primarily worked out of the leadoff spot. He's at a .293 average, .821 OPS, 15 home runs, 29 doubles, eight triples, 29 stolen bases and 71 runs scored over 128 contests.

Gordon allowed five runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out four over 4.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Cardinals on Sunday.

Gordon was able to avoid giving up a home run, but a decent start fell apart in the fifth frame. Since the beginning of August, he's given up 20 runs (18 earned) over 35.1 innings across seven games, providing uneven performances, though the Coors Field effect has had a large role in that. Overall, he has a 5.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 76:17 K:BB through 93.1 innings over 21 games (nine starts). Gordon is projected to make his next appearance in Detroit.

Herrera went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 10-8 win over the Rockies.

The multi-hit onslaught continues for Herrera, who has at least two knocks in five of his last six games. He's also driven in 11 runs in that span. The catcher is batting .251 with a .750 OPS, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 89 runs scored, 25 doubles, one triple and eight stolen bases over 143 contests. Herrera has thrived in the No. 2 spot in the order for much of the year, providing him with plenty of chances to cross the plate ahead of the duo of Alec Burleson and Jordan Walker most games.

Vasquez will be available out of the San Diego bullpen beginning Monday against the Nationals, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Vasquez has pitched especially well in his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 2.16 ERA and 0.66 WHIP over 16.2 innings, but with Nick Pivetta (forearm) ready to return to the Padres' rotation, Vasquez will transition to a relief role. Pivetta stretched out to only 64 pitches in his final rehab outing, so it may be a sort of piggyback situation with Vasquez in that rotation spot, at least initially.

Burleson went 3-for-5 with a double, one RBI and one run scored in Sunday's 10-8 win over the Rockies.

Burleson's bat had gone a little cold to start September -- he went 2-for-21 over his first five games of the month before breaking out of the funk Sunday. For the season, the first baseman is hitting .283 with an .809 OPS, 21 home runs, 103 RBI, 79 runs scored, 34 doubles, one triple and four stolen bases. He ranks second in the majors in RBI and is tied for first in doubles.

Gorman went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 10-8 win over the Rockies.

Gorman went 3-for-12 with four RBI during the three-game series in Colorado. The infielder provided a blast as part of the Cardinals' six-run fifth inning, giving them their first lead of the contest. Gorman is batting .186 with a .590 OPS, nine homers, 31 RBI, 22 runs scored, six doubles and no stolen bases over 73 games this season. He is working on the strong side of a platoon at third base, sharing the position with Ramon Urias.

Soriano allowed a hit and struck out one without being charged with a run over one-third of an inning to earn the save in Sunday's 10-8 win over the Rockies.

Ryne Stanek wasn't able to keep things under control in a non-save situation, prompting Soriano to come in for damage control. While a Jake McCarthy single plated two inherited runners, Soriano was able to strike out Troy Johnston to preserve the lead. Soriano is up to three saves this year while adding 21 holds and seven blown saves as part of the Cardinals' setup crew. He's maintained a 4.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 62:30 K:BB across 61.1 innings, though he's been charged with 11 runs over his last 13.1 frames.

Pivetta (forearm) will be activated from the 60-day injured list to start Monday's game against the Nationals, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com reports.

Pivetta has been cleared to take the mound in a big-league game for the first time since April 12 after throwing 4.1 scoreless innings and punching out seven in a rehab start with Triple-A El Paso on Aug. 30. Last month, it looked like Pivetta's season might be over when he removed himself from a minor-league game in the middle of an at-bat, but he has progressed without setbacks since. He built up to 64 pitches in his final rehab outing last Sunday.