MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Ohtani (bicep) is feeling "considerably better" and could be back in the lineup Sunday, and Roberts didn't rule Ohtani out of being available off the bench Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani isn't in the lineup Saturday after reporting some discomfort in his right bicep Friday. However, there hasn't been any indication that the injury is serious, and Roberts' words Saturday further suggest that it's just a minor issue. Andy Pages is getting a turn at DH with Ohtani sidelined Saturday.

Clemens went 2-for-4 with a walk, a home run, two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Yankees.

The 30-year-old slugger homered for a third straight game when he took Brendan Beck deep for a two-run shot in the first inning, the first of six long balls by the Twins on the afternoon. Clemens is up to 16 home runs on the season, and five of them have come in his last eight contests -- a stretch in which he's batting .303 (10-for-33) with 10 runs and 12 RBI.

Milwaukee recalled Yoho from Triple-A Nashville on Saturday.

Yoho had been sent down to Nashville on June 25, but he'll now be back with the Brewers to take the bullpen spot of Joel Kuhnel, who was placed on the 15-day IL due to a shoulder injury. Yoho compiled a 6.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB across six frames in his previous five appearances for Milwaukee this season, and he'll likely take on a low-leverage relief role while he's up in the majors.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Yankees.

The veteran DH led the charge in an 11-hit, six-homer barrage by the Twins, as Bell launched a solo shot off Ryan Yarbrough in the seventh inning and a two-run blast in the eighth off Camilo Doval. The 10 total bases were a season high, continuing a power surge that has seen Bell go yard four times in the last five games. Over his last 24 contests, he's batting .307 (27-for-88) with 15 extra-base hits including eight home runs, along with 15 runs and 26 RBI.

The Brewers placed Kuhnel on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 3, due to a right shoulder injury.

Kuhnel has been struggling of late, giving up five runs (four earned) over three innings across his past three appearances. It's not clear if the shoulder issue impacted his performance, but he's now going to be out through at least the All-Star break. The Brewers recalled Craig Yoho from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move to fill Kuhnel's spot in the bullpen.

Buxton went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and two RBI in Saturday's 11-4 rout of the Yankees.

Returning to the lineup in center field after missing the prior four games due to a hip issue, Buxton immediately cleared up concerns about his health by ripping an RBI double off the wall in left field in his first plate appearance. The 32-year-old has suited up for 74 of the Twins' 90 contests so far this season, putting him on pace to top 130 games played for the first time since 2017. He's compiled a .269/.326/.574 slash line with 25 homers, seven steals, 45 RBI and 57 runs.

The Dodgers optioned Robinson to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Robinson had been working as Los Angeles' No. 2 catcher since Will Smith (neck) landed on the IL in mid-June, but he's struggled as a hitter, going just 2-for-23 with no extra-base hits over eight contests. As such, Robinson will head back to Triple-A, and Eliezer Alfonzo will get his first taste of the majors.

The Dodgers selected Alfonzo's contract from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Alfonzo has thrived with OKC this season, slashing .313/.392/.422 with one home run, 16 RBI and a 22:17 BB:K over 49 games. He's thus getting his first look in the majors, and he's expected to serve as the backup behind the plate to Dalton Rushing while Will Smith (neck) remains on the IL. Chuckie Robinson, who had been working as the backup catcher, was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move.

Littell didn't factor into the decision Saturday as the Nationals fell 7-1 to the Pirates, allowing one run on four hits and a walk over six relief innings. He struck out three.

The veteran righty put together an impressive performance as the bulk reliever, tossing 57 of 87 pitches for strikes in the equivalent of a quality start, but opener Carson Palmquist had coughed up four runs before Littell even set foot on the mound. Littell has given up two or fewer runs in three straight outings to lower his ERA on the season to 5.02, and he's set to get his next turn through the rotation at home next weekend against the Yankees.

Chourio isn't in Saturday's starting lineup versus Arizona.

It will be Chourio's first game out of the starting lineup since June 3. The star outfielder may just be getting a routine rest day, as there's no word of an injury and he's been hitting well of late, reaching base in nine straight contests and posting an .819 OPS with two homers, four RBI and one steal over that span. With Chourio out of Saturday's lineup, Jake Bauers is getting a start in left field.