MLB Player News

Ohtani (forearm) said after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Athletics that he expects to serve as the Angels' designated hitter in Thursday's series finale versus Oakland, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani made his 18th start of the season on the mound Wednesday and dropped to 9-7 after he was charged with three runs (two earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out seven in 5.2 innings. Though he didn't appear to suffer an injury during his time on the mound, the two-way player was lifted for a pinch hitter when his turn in the lineup came up in the bottom of the seventh. The Angels characterized his injury as a "mild cramp in his forearm," per Nevin, but the issue isn't considered serious, according to Sam Blum of The Athletic. Fantasy managers in leagues with daily lineup moves will likely still want to verify that Ohtani is in fact good to go when the Angels unveil their starting nine for Thursday's contest.

Ohtani (9-7) took the loss Wednesday against the A's after giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits with seven strikeouts and one walk over 5.2 innings, and he was replaced by a pinch hitter during the seventh inning due to mild forearm cramps, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old had already been replaced on the mound when he exited, and it's unclear if the injury surfaced while pitching or hitting. Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a strikeout at the plate, and he's expected to be back in the lineup at designated hitter for Thursday's series finale versus Oakland, so it doesn't appear to be a serious injury.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Though the Red Sox made Martinez available ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, the team didn't find an offer it liked and will keep the 34-year-old in the fold for the remainder of the campaign. Though Martinez should continue to play on a near-everyday basis, he'll get a breather Wednesday while the Red Sox conclude their series in Houston with a day game after a night game. Rafael Devers will step in as Boston's designated hitter while Martinez sits after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's 2-1 win.

Buxton (undisclosed) is starting Wednesday against Detroit.

Buxton was on the bench for the last two games due to some apparent soreness, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and lead off Wednesday. Over his last five matchups, the 28-year-old has gone 5-for-18 with three home runs, a double, five runs, three RBI and a stolen base.

Cabrera isn't starting Wednesday against the Twins.

Eric Haase will step in as the designated hitter for the series finale while Cabrera gets the day off after he went 0-for-15 with a run, a walk and two strikeouts over the last four games. According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, manager A.J. Hinch said Cabrera has been bothered by his right knee lately, and though the issue isn't serious enough to send the 39-year-old to the injured list, he'll likely be getting more frequent days off over the final two months of the season.

Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

With southpaw Yusei Kikuchi on the bump for Toronto, the lefty-hitting Choi will retreat to the bench, ending a string of eight consecutive starts in which he went 4-for-31 with 10 strikeouts. Isaac Paredes will cover first base and David Peralta will get a turn as the Rays' designated hitter while Choi rests.

Jimenez went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, four RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 9-2 win over the Royals.

Jimenez had an RBI single in the first inning, a two-run double in the fourth and a sacrifice fly in the sixth. This was his first three-hit effort of the season, and it extended his hitting streak to eight games. In that span, the outfielder has gone 13-for-29 (.448) with three homers, seven RBI and six runs scored. He's lifted his season slash line to .273/.308/.455 through 107 plate appearances.

Reyes was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Tuesday.

Reyes cleaned out his locker after Monday's win over Arizona and has now been officially sent to Triple-A. The 27-year-old has a .213/.254/.350 slash line with nine home runs and 28 RBI in 280 plate appearances this year, so the demotion is well warranted. Oscar Gonzalez (intercostal) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Rooker was traded from the Padres to the Royals in exchange for Cam Gallagher on Tuesday, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.

The deal appears to accomplish little more than shifting some organizational depth pieces around. Rooker owns a career .690 OPS in 67 major-league games, just two of which have come this season.

Buxton (undisclosed) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

The Twins were hoping to get Buxton back Tuesday, but he will open on the bench for a second straight day. Nick Gordon will get the nod in center field in Buxton's place.