MLB Player News

Alvarez is not in the starting lineup Friday against Arizona, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He'll get his first day off since missing the Sept. 5 game against the Padres with a knee injury. Marwin Gonzalez will handle the DH duties and bat sixth Friday.

Rooker was activated off the paternity list Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Rooker had been out since Monday while spending time with his newborn baby. He started five of the previous seven games prior to his absence, so he should return to a similar role down the stretch. Andrelton Simmons was placed on the restricted list due to immigration issues to clear a spot for Rooker's return.

Choi isn't in the lineup Thursday against the Tigers, radio broadcaster Steve Carney reports.

Choi will be out of the lineup for a second straight game with left-hander Tyler Alexander on the mound for the Tigers. Jordan Luplow will start at first base and bat sixth.

Ohtani is starting Thursday's game against the White Sox as the designated hitter.

Ohtani is dealing with some arm soreness after he played catch Wednesday, and he'll be unable to make his scheduled start on the mound Friday as a result. However, manager Joe Maddon described the 27-year-old's issue as late-season fatigue rather than an injury, and he'll be able to continue hitting.

Ohtani won't start Friday's game against the Athletics, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Manager Joe Maddon initially expected Ohtani to start Friday's series opener, but his arm is apparently sore after he played catch Wednesday. It's not yet clear when the right-hander will next take the mound, but Maddon said Thursday that he's hopeful that Ohtani will pitch again this season.

Reyes went 3-for-5 and blasted his 29th home run of the season in Wednesday's 12-3 win over the Twins.

Reyes took Minnesota reliever Andrew Albers deep in the ninth inning to round out the scoring. He also drove in a run with an RBI single in the seventh that gave Cleveland an 8-0 cushion. The 26-year-old Reyes boasts an .872 OPS on the season, which would best the career-high .838 mark he posted as a rookie in 2018.

Brantley was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with right knee soreness, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley hasn't seen the field since Saturday due to the knee issue and was already expected to be sidelined until at least Friday, but he's now looking at a longer absence. The move to the injured list should be retroactive, which would make the 34-year-old eligible to be activated next Wednesday, though it's unclear if he's expected to be healthy enough to play at that point.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Oscar Mercado will pick up the start in left field in place for Ramirez, who was included in the lineup in three of the past four contests. Since coming off the 10-day injured list Sept. 1, Ramirez is hitting .286 with four doubles, two RBI and four runs in 10 games.

Ohtani is expected to start at home versus Oakland on Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels are hopeful that Alex Cobb (wrist) will be able to return to the rotation Thursday, allowing the team to give Ohtani an extra day of rest. Ohtani's previous outing came Sept. 10 at Houston, so he'll have a full week between appearances on the mound. The right-handed hurler struggled in that start versus the Astros, giving up six runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings.

Choi isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi will be on the bench with left-hander Robbie Ray starting for Toronto on Wednesday. Jordan Luplow will start at first base and bat seventh.