MLB Player News

Ohtani is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals due to knee and biceps discomfort.

After Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Cardinals, manager Dave Roberts made it sound likely that Ohtani could get the day off Thursday, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ohtani appeared to show some physical discomfort in his four-strikeout performance Wednesday as he continues to deal with soreness in his left knee and right biceps. It remains to be seen how many games the superstar may rest until he rejoins the lineup. The lingering injuries also leave him without a clear timeline to resume pitching -- he hasn't taken the mound for the Dodgers since July 3. As for Thursday, Tommy Edman is batting leadoff while Alex Call is starting as the designated hitter.

Clarke isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Clarke will get a day off after going 1-for-6 with a walk and a run scored in his first two games back from the injured list. Zack Gelof, Henry Bolte and Lawrence Butler will start across the outfield for the A's while Clarke is on the bench.

Manager Craig Counsell said that Webb (forearm) is experiencing soreness Thursday but is expected to avoid a stint on the injured list, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Webb took a 102.5-mph line drive off of his right arm in Wednesday's 9-5 loss to the Brewers. The Cubs will be cautious with the right-hander over the next few days, but he is not dealing with much beyond the soreness after X-rays came back negative.

Jung (calf) ran for the third consecutive day Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Jung is eyeing a return to live games over the weekend with a rehab assignment. The third baseman is trying to return from a left calf strain that landed him on the 10-day injured list in late July. He was not at 100 percent running Monday but has seemingly made progress the past couple days.

Altuve went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer in Thursday's 6-2 win over the White Sox.

Altuve opened the scoring in the first inning with a two-run shot off Luis Castillo into the Crawford Boxes for his 15th homer this season. It's just the second long ball in the last 23 games for Altuve, who's now slashing .244/.309/.397 with 63 runs scored, 43 RBI and four steals across 483 plate appearances this year.

Castillo (4-11) took the loss Thursday against the Astros, allowing six runs on six hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out three.

It was another rough outing for Castillo, who gave up a two-run homer to Jose Altuve in the first inning before the Astros put up a four spot in the third. Castillo's failed to get through five frames in any of his last four starts -- he's given up 17 earned runs on 30 hits in just 15.1 innings during that span. The 33-year-old's ERA is up to 5.57 across 126 innings between the White Sox and Mariners this season. He's tentatively lined up to face the Pirates at home his next time out.

Eovaldi (elbow) threw a bullpen Thursday that went well, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Eovaldi is working his way back from right posterior elbow inflammation that landed him on the 15-day injured list Aug. 10. The right-hander resumed playing catch last week and is progressing more slowly than anticipated after initially being expected to potentially miss just the 15-day minimum. The 36-year-old could soon be cleared to face live batters and begin a rehab assignment.

Mesa is not in the lineup Thursday against the Rangers.

Mesa has gone 3-for-8 across the two games he's played in since returning from a strained left hamstring Tuesday. He'll receive some rest Thursday while Jonny DeLuca gets the start in right field and bats fifth.

Walls is not in the lineup against the Rangers on Thursday.

Walls started the Rays' previous six games, during which he went 7-for-20 with two RBI and two stolen bases. He's getting a breather Thursday while Jorge Mateo starts at shortstop and bats seventh.

Brown (5-3) earned the win Thursday over the White Sox, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks over six innings. He struck out seven.

It was another strong outing for Brown, who held Chicago to a pair of runs that came with two outs in the second inning. The right-hander has now held opponents to two runs or fewer in each of his last four outings, allowing just six runs across 23.1 innings in that span. Brown's ERA now sits at 3.31 through 16 starts (87 innings) this season with a 1.30 WHIP and 93:46 K:BB. He's tentatively lined up to face the Phillies on the road his next time out.