MLB Player News

Ohtani went 4-for-5 with a two-run home run, a triple and two RBI in Wednesday's loss to the Mariners.

Ohtani had a stellar day at the plate, sending Magneuris Sierra home on a fifth-inning single, David Fletcher home on a seventh-inning triple and Fletcher again on a ninth-inning homer. The superstar was a double shy of hitting for the cycle with two singles, a triple and a homer. The home run was Ohtani's 27th of the year and his fifth this month. He extended his hit streak to five games, which includes a three-hit and four-hit outing. During that span, Ohtani has increased his batting average from .253 to .265.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 11-7 victory over the Angels.

Winker scored early on a Carlos Santana single in the third inning, then launched a two-run shot in the sixth that scored Adam Frazier. It was Winker's 13th home run of the year and his fourth in August. In 37 at-bats this month, Winker has picked up nine hits and 12 walks but has also struck out 10 times giving the outfielder a .243/.420/.568 slash line.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday that he's hoping Stanton (Achilles) heads out on a minor-league rehab assignment this weekend, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Slowly but surely, Stanton has been ramping up his activities since he was cleared to start working out just over a week ago, but the Yankees have not yet formally etched out a timeline for him to report to the minors. Assuming Boone's prediction comes to pass and Stanton joins an affiliate this weekend, the 32-year-old would likely need at least a couple games to get comfortable at the plate and in the outfield before New York brings him back from the IL. A return at some point during the Yankees' two-game series with the Mets next Monday and Tuesday remains in play, but the four-game set in Oakland that begins Aug. 25 may be the more realistic target for Stanton.

Ramirez went 1-for-4 Tuesday against the Yankees.

Ramirez was activated from the injured list prior to Tuesday's game after missing just over three weeks with a thumb injury. He hit third and served as the designated hitter, and he is likely to occupy a similar role consistently moving forward. Though Ramirez has only four home runs, he has 20 extra-base hits across 268 plate appearances for the season, good for a career-best .443 slugging percentage.

Miller is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Athletics.

Though he'll be on the bench with southpaw JP Sears on the bump for Oakland, the lefty-hitting Miller may have recaptured a strong-side platoon role at designated hitter. He went 3-for-5 with a walk between the past two contests, while Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith both picked up starts at third base. The hot-hitting Duran appears likely to serve as the Rangers' main option at the hot corner moving forward, while the slumping Smith could shift into more of a utility role.

Choi is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With southpaw Nestor Cortes on the hill for New York, the lefty-hitting Choi will bow out of the starting nine. Isaac Paredes will spell Choi at first base Tuesday.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday that he expects Stanton (Achilles) to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment within the next few days, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Even with the Yankees having dropped eight of their last 10 games, the team retains a 10-game lead in the American League East, so Stanton likely won't be rushed back from the 10-day injured list until he's 100 percent. With that in mind, Stanton could stay on the rehab assignment through the weekend while he works to regain his timing at the plate and to get up to full speed in the field and on the bases. Even if Stanton gets some exposure to the outfield during his rehab assignment, he'll still likely see the bulk of his playing time as a designated hitter once he returns from the IL as the Yankees aim to limit the wear and tear on his body heading into the playoffs.

Cabrera is on the bench Tuesday in Cleveland, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera's playing time continues to wane while he manages lingering knee pain and struggles to produce at the plate, having gone 2-for-25 with six strikeouts and no extra-base hits since the beginning of August. He's on the bench for the fourth time in five games and may be a part-time player at this stage of the season.

Ramirez (thumb) was activated from the injured list Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Timesreports.

Ramirez made it through a rehab game Sunday without issue, and that was all the Rays needed to see before adding him back to the roster. Ramirez is hitting .329 and owns an .825 OPS on the season, so it seems likely he will resume his role as the Rays' regular designated hitter.

Miller started at designated hitter and went 2-for-2 in Monday's 2-1 win over Oakland.

Miller started for the fifth time in the last seven games -- all against right-handers -- and seemingly holds onto a regular gig despite an average hovering around .200 and the promotion of several younger players during the course of the season. He was eventually lifted for a pinch hitter in the sixth inning against lefty Sam Moll, so Miller remains a situational player under new Texas manager Tony Beasley.