MLB Player News

Brantley (knee) will begin baseball activities Sunday, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley has already missed a full week with a sore knee, but the Astros waited several days to place him on the injured list, so he isn't eligible to return until Wednesday. Whether or not he'll have a chance to do so is not yet clear.

Brantley is receiving treatment for his right knee injury but is not yet ready to resume baseball activities.

Per manager Dusty Baker, Brantley's knee hasn't gotten any worse since last Saturday, but because the outfielder missed four games through Sept. 15, the Astros decided it made sense to place him on the injured list. During Brantley's absence, his spot in left field has been occupied by Chas McCormick and Jose Siri.

Choi went 2-for-4 with a run in an extra-inning win over the Tigers on Friday.

Choi had an opportunity to author his second straight two-hit effort before being pinch hit for in the ninth inning. The veteran had been mired in a 1-for-16 funk over the previous five contests after a multi-week stay on the injured list due to a hamstring strain, so perhaps the last pair of contests are a sign he's shaken off whatever rust may have accumulated.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Friday's 7-3 win over Toronto.

The new father showed some dad power Friday. Rooker plated Minnesota's first run with an RBI double in the second inning, and he added a solo shot for insurance in the sixth. The 26-year-old lifted his season slash line to .210/.295/.420 with eight homers, 15 RBI, 22 runs scored and nine doubles through 176 plate appearances. He should see fairly regular playing time in left field over the last two-plus weeks of the season.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-0 win over Cleveland.

The 31-year-old has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, going 14-for-41 (.341) in that span. Stanton has three home runs, six RBI and three runs scored during the hot streak. For the season, the slugger is slashing .273/.358/.498 with 29 long balls, 79 RBI, 56 runs scored and 16 doubles across 125 games.

Ohtani threw a successful bullpen session Friday and will start on the mound for the Angels on Sunday against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

There was some concern that Ohtani wouldn't pitch again this season after he experienced arm soreness while playing catch Wednesday. However, manager Joe Maddon clarified that Ohtani did not suffer an injury, but instead that he was just dealing with fatigue. That said, his workload may be monitored carefully when he takes the mound Sunday.

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.