MLB Player News

Imaging on Ohtani's left knee revealed Friday that he isn't dealing with any structural damage, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani will be held out of Friday's contest against the White Sox, but manager Dave Roberts said before the game that the two-way star isn't dealing with anything more than inflammation in his left knee. He's expected to resume duties as the Dodgers' designated hitter sometime this weekend and remains on track to make his next start on the mound Wednesday.

The Royals recalled Morgan from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

The move corresponds with the Royals placing Seth Lugo on the 7-day concussion list. Morgan has split his time somewhat evenly between the majors and the minors this season. He's appeared in 13 games for the Royals and has a 5.51 ERA, 1.90 WHIP and 15:8 K:BB across 16.1 innings. Morgan could just be a placeholder in the bullpen until the Royals need to call up a starter to replace Lugo in the rotation.

The Orioles released Pham on Friday, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

The veteran outfielder recently exercised the opt-out in his minor-league contract, and the organization has now granted him his release. Pham signed with Baltimore in mid-May and had a .175/.254/.381 slash line and 29.6 percent strikeout rate in 16 games for Triple-A Norfolk.

The Royals placed Lugo on the 7-day concussion list Friday.

Lugo was struck in the forehead by a line drive during Wednesday's game against the Rangers. The good news for Lugo was that a subsequent CT scan came back negative, but he's now in the league's concussion protocol and will need to hit multiple checkpoints before being cleared to return to the majors. In a corresponding move, the Royals recalled Eli Morgan from Triple-A Omaha.

Rodriguez (hip) is starting behind the plate and batting seventh Friday against the Marlins.

The 26-year-old exited Wednesday's game against the Dodgers due to left hip discomfort but is ready to rejoin the lineup for Friday's series opener versus the Marlins. Since going 2-for-4 with a double and a homer June 2, Rodriguez has just one hit in 16 at-bats over his past seven contests.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that Senga (spine/arm) will require at least one more minor-league rehab start before the organization considers activating him from the 15-day injured list, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The right-hander had his rehab outing pushed back early this week due to ulnar nerve irritation in his right arm, but he was able to take the mound with Double-A Binghamton on Thursday and gave up just one run across six innings. Senga built up to 75 pitches in that start, so he's already most of the way to a full starting workload and could re-enter the Mets rotation with another solid showing in the minor leagues.

The Athletics placed Rooker on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to Tuesday, due to a bone bruise in his left knee.

Rooker was out of the Athletics' lineup both Tuesday and Wednesday against the Brewers while tending to a left knee issue. The injury is severe enough for him to warrant a stint on the IL, though it's unclear whether he's facing a stint longer than the minimum. With Rooker sidelined, Shea Langeliers, Jonah Heim and Carlos Cortes are all candidates to see more reps as the team's designated hitter. Jacob Wilson (shoulder) was reinstated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Nationals designated Fernandez (undisclosed) for assignment Friday.

The right-hander has been on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Rochester with an unspecified injury for nearly a month, and he's now lost his place on the 40-man roster. Fernandez made three appearances with Washington early this season and gave up one earned runs with a 3:2 K:BB across four innings.

The Athletics reinstated Wilson (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Wilson has been given the green light to return to the Athletics after fully recovering from a dislocated left shoulder that he suffered in early May. Now that he's back in the picture, Alika Williams is set to see less playing time in the infield. The move corresponds with Brent Rooker (knee) being placed on the 10-day injured list.

Schanuel (calf) is not in the Angels' starting lineup against the Rays on Friday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Schanuel will be out of the Halos' lineup for a second consecutive game while dealing with a left calf injury that he sustained after he took a pitch off his leg during Tuesday's game against the Astros. Trey Mancini will serve as the Angels' first baseman and bat fifth in Friday's game.