MLB Player News

Ohtani won't start Sunday's game against Oakland due to a sore thumb, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani should still be available as the designated hitter in the Angels' weekend series against Oakland, but his next start as a pitcher will be pushed back after a ball hit the thumb on his throwing hand in the dugout recently. Manager Joe Maddon downplayed the severity of the issue and said the right-hander could still start Monday's game. Jaime Barria will start Saturday's contest, while Reid Detmers will make his major-league debut Sunday.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs in a win over the Yankees on Thursday.

Choi helped pile on the runs late, slugging his seventh homer of the season with Brandon Lowe aboard in the sixth to extend the Rays' lead to 12-0 at the time. The veteran is closing out July on a heater, as he's now posted a .321/.406/.714 slash line with two doubles, three home runs and nine RBI over his last eight games.

Jimenez (groin) isn't starting Friday's game against Cleveland.

Jimenez will be out of the lineup for a second straight contest as he continues to manage right groin tightness. Gavin Sheets will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts in left field. Jimenez won't be available off the bench Friday, but manager Tony La Russa said the 24-year-old is doing better and receiving treatment, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani went 0-for-1 with three walks and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to Oakland.

The Angels managed only three hits in the contest, so Ohtani's ability to draw free passes in the contest went for naught. Still, the two-way star managed to contribute to fantasy squads by swiping his 15th base of the season. Over his past five games, Ohtani has drawn seven walks and stolen three bases in addition to slamming three home runs.

Lewis (knee) is projected to return from the injured list in late August, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Lewis has been sidelined since June 1, but the team has remained optimistic that he would be able to return at some point this season. It appears that remains a realistic possibility, as Lewis has recently begun hitting in the batting cage and should continue to progress in his rehab.

Canha went into Thursday night's game against the Angels having posted a .455 on-base percentage in the 44 plate appearances encompassing the 10 contests since his July 17 return from the injured list.

The veteran has been an especially savvy hitter the last few seasons, but Canha is seemingly taking his craft to a new level of late. His latest busy night on the basepaths heading into Thursday came the night prior, when he went 2-for-3 with two RBI, two walks, a stolen base and a run in a win over the Padres. Canha reached safely in all 10 contests during the sample as well, pushing his season OBP to to an elite .385.

Cabrera went 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk Thursday against the Orioles.

The veteran slugger certainly responded well to Wednesday's day off, coming back Thursday with his first multi-homer performance since May. Cabrera took Alexander Wells deep in the fifth inning and did the same off Adam Plutko in the seventh for his nine and 10th long balls of the year. After being held without a homer over his first 18 games in July, Cabrera has gone yard three times in his last three contests during a 6-for-11 stretch at the plate. He's hitting .247 in 326 plate appearances overall this season with a .679 OPS that would be a career low.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that the plan to play Stanton in the outfield against Miami this weekend is complicated by the recent addition of Joey Gallo, Max Goodman of SI.com reports.

Stanton was originally expected to return to the field during New York's recent series at Boston, but that never came to fruition. Boone subsequently indicated that the slugger would play the outfield in his return to Miami -- where he began his professional career -- though the manager's comments Thursday make that scenario murky. Boone didn't completely rule out Stanton, Gallo and Aaron Judge forming a towering outfield trio in Miami, however, adding, "Giancarlo is physically prepared and ready for that," per Marly Rivera of ESPN.com.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, two walks and an additional run Wednesday in the Twins' 17-14 loss to the Tigers.

The home run was Rooker's third in four games and one of seven on the day for Minnesota. With a 1.271 OPS in six starts for Minnesota since his July 23 call-up, Rooker looks secure in an everyday role at either designated hitter or in the corner outfield.

Jimenez (groin) isn't starting Thursday's game against the Royals.

Jimenez was removed from Wednesday's game as a precautionary measure due to right groin tightness. Yoan Moncada will serve as the designated hitter while Leury Garcia starts at third base.