MLB Player News

Ohtani (9-2) allowed six earned runs on nine hits while striking out one across 3.1 innings, taking the loss to the Astros on Friday. He went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and two walks at the plate.

It was an uncharacteristic start for Ohtani, taking his first loss since May 28. Prior to Friday's game, seven of his last eight outings were quality starts. However, he had another solid day at the plate, reaching base on all three plate appearances and homering off Framber Valdez in the first inning. He leads MLB with 44 homers while carrying a 3.36 ERA and 1.12 WHIP with a 10.6 K/9 this season.

Martinez was scratched from Friday's lineup against the White Sox due to back spasms, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Martinez was visiting with trainers ahead of Friday's game, and he'll ultimately be unable to start. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Kyle Schwarber will serve as the designated hitter while Danny Santana enters the lineup in left field.

Ramirez is not starting Friday against the Brewers.

He'll sit after going 2-for-11 with a double during the previous three games. Bradley Zimmer shifts to left field as Franmil Reyes starts in right field Friday.

Stanton is not starting Friday against the Mets.

Stanton will take a seat as the Yankees opt to start Joey Gallo, Brett Gardner and Aaron Judge in the outfield from left to right. Per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, manager Aaron Boone said he plans to start Stanton in the outfield during the final two games of the series.

Jimenez is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Red Sox after missing the previous two contests with a bruised knee.

The slugger sat the final two games in Oakland after being hit by a foul ball during Tuesday's win. Per James Fegan of The Athletic, he's still feeling some soreness, but the club doesn't think it's an issue that will worsen with him playing through it. Jimenez will DH and bat fourth against right-hander Tanner Houck.

Choi is not starting Friday against the Tigers and lefty Matthew Boyd.

Choi went hitless in his return from a hamstring injury during Wednesday's loss to Boston, and now he'll retreat to the bench against the southpaw. Jordan Luplow draws the start at first base and will bat sixth.

Reyes went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Thursday's 4-1 win over Minnesota.

Reyes got into an Andrew Albers offering in the third inning to give Cleveland a 2-1 lead. It was the fourth homer in the last six contests for Reyes, who went yard in three straight games earlier in the week. The big slugger is hitting .256/.332/.552 with 28 homers and 74 RBI in just 391 plate appearances this season.

Choi (hamstring), who was activated from the injured list earlier in the day, went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in a loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday.

Choi seemed to certainly have some rust on his bat after returning from what was a two-week-plus stay on the injured list. The good news is Choi was able to play all nine innings at first base, corroborating a return to full health.

Buxton isn't starting Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Buxton will get a breather after he went 0-for-9 with an RBI and four strikeouts across the last two games. Nick Gordon will take over in center field and bat seventh.

Jimenez (knee) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Athletics, Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago reports.

Jimenez will be out of the lineup for a second straight game after he took a foul ball off his knee while in the dugout Tuesday. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Billy Hamilton will start in left field and bat seventh. The White Sox are hopeful the 24-year-old will be able to return to the lineup Friday against the Red Sox, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com.