MLB Player News

Choi (ankle) will start at first base and bat sixth in Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi missed only one game on account of left ankle pain, which he experienced while running the bases in Sunday's 4-2 win over the Pirates. Monday's team off day along with his absence from the lineup for Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee appears to have provided Choi with enough time to move past the injury. The Rays' decision to deploy Choi at first base rather than designated hitter suggests the ankle issue won't compromise him while moving laterally in the field.

Alvarez went 3-for-3 with two walks, a two-run home run and two runs scored Tuesday against the Mets.

Alvarez returned from a one-game absence caused by a minor nagging hand injury. He looked healthy at the plate, first singling in the opening inning. Four frames later, he launched his 23rd home of the season and sixth in his last eight starts. Alvarez has had an incredible campaign through 66 games, maintaining a .453 wOBA and 205 wRC+.

Ohtani went 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, two RBI and a walk in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the White Sox.

Ohtani feasted on White Sox starter Johnny Cueto, posting a first-inning double and a solo shot in the third before drawing a walk in the fifth. This was the two-way star's third three-hit game in June, and he's swatted four homers in his last seven contests. Overall, the 27-year-old is slashing .268/.351/.511 with 17 long balls, 49 RBI, 46 runs scored, eight stolen bases and 15 doubles through 74 games. He's set to start on the mound in Wednesday's series finale against the Pale Hose, and he enters that game having allowed just one run in 21 innings across his last three turns through the rotation.

Buxton went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in a 6-0 win over the Guardians during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

After striking out as a pinch hitter in the matinee, Buxton was back in center field and his usual leadoff spot for the nightcap. The 28-year-old superstar took Anthony Castro deep in the ninth inning to wrap up the scoring for the Twins, giving Buxton nine homers in June and 20 for the year -- and establishing a new career high in the process. He's also batting .297 (22-for-74) on the month, raising his slash line on the season to .236/.315/.585.

Choi is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers due to pain in his left ankle, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The injury explains why the lefty-hitting Choi is on the bench for the series opener with the Brewers, despite right-hander Brandon Woodruff toeing the rubber for Milwaukee. According to Topkin, Choi, who tweaked the ankle while running the bases in Sunday's win over the Pirates, expects to return to the lineup within the next couple of days.

Reyes is out of the lineup for the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Twins.

Reyes recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to a strained hamstring, so the Guardians won't ask him to play both ends of the twin bill. Jose Ramirez will serve as Cleveland's designated hitter in Game 2 after Reyes went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in the Guardians' 3-2 win in the early game.

Stanton is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Athletics, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

Stanton looks to be sitting out as part of a pre-planned maintenance day after he started either in right field or as the Yankees' designated hitter in each of the last nine days. Aaron Judge will fill the non-defensive role Tuesday, while Joey Gallo picks up a second straight start in right field.

Alvarez (hand) will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 3 batter in Tuesday's game against the Mets.

Per Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, manager Dusty Baker said Alvarez was held out of the lineup for Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees due to lingering soreness in his hand, but his absence always looked to be little more than a routine maintenance day. Baker said Alvarez was available Sunday in a pinch-hitting capacity, and the 25-year-old proceeded to come off the bench and draw a walk. As anticipated, Alvarez experienced no setbacks following his brief cameo Sunday and should be ready for a full slate of starts this week following Monday's team off day.

Choi will be on the bench Tuesday against the Brewers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi's off days nearly always come against lefties, so to see him on the bench here against righty Brandon Woodruff is somewhat unusual. It's possible he's dealing with an unreported minor injury, but it's also possible he's simply getting the day off. In either case, it will be Isaac Paredes who starts at first base Tuesday.

The Astros placed Brantley (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After exiting Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees with right shoulder discomfort, Brantley apparently didn't show enough improvement following Monday's team off day to avoid a trip to the IL. Houston will call up Chas McCormick to provide reinforcement in the outfield, and the Astros could use a committee of him, Mauricio Dubon, Aledmys Diaz and J.J. Matijevic to fill Brantley's vacated spot in the starting nine. Brantley will be eligible to come off the IL on July 7.