MLB Player News

Torrens isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Rangers.

Torrens had started in each of the last four games, and he went 2-for-15 with a solo home run, two runs scored, an RBI and three walks. Tom Murphy will take his place behind the dish and bat eighth.

Brantley was scratched from Saturday's lineup against Cleveland due to right side soreness, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley went hitless with a run, a walk and a strikeout in four at-bats in Friday's loss to Cleveland, but he's now dealing with an injury and won't start Saturday. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available off the bench, but Taylor Jones will take over in left field and bat seventh.

Reyes isn't starting Saturday's game against the Astros.

Reyes returned to the lineup Friday after spending over a month on the injured list with an oblique issue, and he went 3-for-5 with two strikeouts in his first game back. Eddie Rosario will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth.

Torrens went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two walks in Friday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rangers

Torrens was hitless in his first three at-bats of the evening but came through with a clutch home run in the eighth to tie the game up at three apiece. The 25-year-old also drew multiple walks in a game for the first time all year (6.4 percent walk rate). On the season, he's slashing .205/.259/.432 with eight homers, 16 RBI, 16 runs scored and 9:36 BB:K over 143 plate appearances.

Reyes (oblique) went 3-for-5 in Friday's 6-3 loss to Houston.

After more than a month on the injured list, Reyes returned to Cleveland's lineup. He was effective at the plate, but he wasn't able to contribute to any run-producing plays. The 25-year-old is expected to be eased back into action, primarily drawing in at designated hitter and occasionally working in right field when Harold Ramirez needs a breather. Reyes is slashing .268/.325/.577 with 11 home runs, 29 RBI and 21 runs scored in 41 games this year.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with two homers, three runs scored, three RBI, a walk and a steal in Friday's 8-7 win over Baltimore.

Ohtani continues to terrorize opposing pitchers. He crushed his 29th and 30th long balls of the season Friday, including a two-run shot to give the Angels the lead in the fourth inning. He later walked and swiped second base before scoring the game-winning run in the ninth. The lefty slugger is now slashing .280/.364/.705 with 51 extra-base hits, 12 stolen bases and 66 RBI. Ohtani has six homers in the last five games and 13 over his last 15 appearances.

Martinez is not starting Friday's series opener against the Athletics, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

The 33-year-old gets a day of rest after homering in consecutive games and hitting .293 with three home runs and 11 RBI in his last 11 contests. Rafael Devers is the designated hitter Friday, with Marwin Gonzalez starting at third base.

Reyes (oblique) was activated from the 10-day injured list and will start Friday's game as the designated hitter, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Reyes has been on the injured list since late May with a left oblique strain. He began a rehab assignment June 21 and is now set to rejoin Cleveland after playing seven games in the minors. He was previously expected to return Saturday, but he'll come back a day early and hit in the heart of the order Friday. Yu Chang was optioned to Triple-A Columbus in a corresponding roster move. Per Lewis, manager Terry Francona said that Reyes won't receive everyday playing time initially as the club exercises caution in bringing him back into the fold.

Alvarez has left the Astros on paternity leave, Jake Kaplan of The Athleticreports.

The 24-year-old can miss up to three days, but players don't always use the full length of the paternity leave. Taylor Jones was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move.

Mercedes was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

Mercedes was held out of the lineup in five of the past eight games and will now head to the minors. The 28-year-old broke out with an 1.113 OPS, five homers and 16 RBI in April but he's struggled over the past two months, slashing .196/.264/.272 with only two long balls in 47 games. Mercedes could rejoin Chicago later in the year if he can get back on track in the minors, but for now he'll head to Charlotte. Jake Burger, one of the organization's top prospects, was promoted as part of Friday's transactions and likely will see time as the designated hitter with Mercedes optioned.