MLB Player News
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Could return to mound Wednesday
Ohtani (elbow) will be reevaluated Tuesday and could make his next start as soon as Wednesday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Ohtani was scratched from his start Monday after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow the day before, but he was still in the lineup as the team's DH and clocked his ninth home run. The two-way star came out of the contest feeling fine, providing optimism that he can return to the mound soon. That return could come Wednesday against the Rays, though it could also come later in the week against the Dodgers, according to manager Joe Maddon. Regardless of the timing of his next pitching start, it appears that Ohtani's availability as a hitter won't be affected by the sore elbow.
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Jorge Soler DH | LAA
Royals' Jorge Soler: Knocks in two runs
Soler went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 loss to Cleveland.
Soler opened the scoring in the third inning with a sacrifice fly to bring home Andrew Benintendi. In the seventh, Soler plated Carlos Santana with an RBI double before scoring on a Hunter Dozier homer. The 29-year-old Soler is up to two home runs, 14 RBI and 11 runs scored through 27 contests. He's slashing just .202/.288/.360 across 104 plate appearances, but Soler ranks among the league leaders in hard-hit rate and average exit velocity, and he's actually trimmed his strikeout rate noticeably from last season (from 34.5 percent to 28), so he presents an intriguing buy-low opportunity.
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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Indians' Franmil Reyes: Three hits, two RBI in win
Reyes went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Monday's 8-6 win over Kansas City.
Reyes hit a leadoff double in the fourth inning and scored on a Josh Naylor double, and he smacked a game-tying two-run single in the fifth. The 25-year-old is off to a strong start to 2021 with seven home runs, 20 RBI, 14 runs scored and a stolen base in 24 games. He sports a .300/.333/.644 slash line, although he could be due for some batting-average regression due to his 32.3 percent strikeout rate and .377 BABIP.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Clocks ninth home run
Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a double in Monday's 7-3 loss to the Rays.
Ohtani was kept off the mound as a precaution Monday but was feeling healthy enough to crush a 427-foot blast off Tyler Glasnow in the sixth inning. The two-way phenom moved back into a tie for the MLB home run lead with nine. He's slashing .272/.318/.641 with 17 extra-base hits and 22 RBI.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Still able to hit
Ohtani (elbow) will bat second and serve as the designated hitter Monday against the Rays despite being scratched from his scheduled turn on the mound.
Ohtani won't make his scheduled start after getting hit in his right (pitching) elbow Sunday against the Mariners, but the issue evidently doesn't bother him while he swings. Jose Quintana will replace him on the mound. It's unclear when Ohtani is next expected to take the hill. Manager Joe Maddon stated that Ohtani's elbow is still too sore to throw, and that he's unsure if the right-hander will pitch during the team's four-game series with the Rays, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
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Luis Torrens DH | NYM
Mariners' Luis Torrens: Retreats to bench
Torrens isn't starting Monday's game against the Orioles.
Torrens went 1-for-3 with a double and a run Sunday, but he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Tom Murphy will start at catcher and bat eighth.
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Harold Ramirez DH | WAS
Indians' Harold Ramirez: Recalled, starting
Ramirez was recalled from Cleveland's alternate training site and is starting Monday's game against the Royals.
Ramirez will make his season debut in center field and bat sixth during Monday's series opener in Kansas City. The 26-year-old should be available as depth in the outfield going forward, but he could see playing time against left-handed pitchers. Outfielder Daniel Johnson and left-hander Kyle Nelson were sent down as part of a shuffle to make room for Ramirez on the major-league roster.
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Franmil Reyes DH | WAS
Indians' Franmil Reyes: Reinstated, starting
Reyes (personal) was reinstated from the paternity list and is starting Monday's game against the Royals.
Reyes spent three days on the paternity list, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth Monday. Outfielder Daniel Johnson and left-hander Kyle Nelson were sent down as part of a shuffle to make room for Reyes on the active roster.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Scratched from start
Ohtani (elbow) has been scratched from his scheduled start for Monday's game against the Rays.
Ohtani was hit by a pitch on his right elbow in Sunday's loss to the Mariners and was feeling sore afterward. Jose Quintana will take his place as Monday's starter, and it's not yet clear when Ohtani will be able to pitch.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Elbow sore after HBP
Ohtani's elbow is sore after Sunday's loss to the Mariners since he was hit by a pitch in the top of the first inning, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Ohtani was able to remain in Sunday's game after he was hit by a pitch in his first at-bat, and he finished the day 0-for-3 with two stolen bases. The right-hander is scheduled to pitch in Monday's series opener against the Rays, and manager Joe Maddon said Sunday that he isn't yet sure whether Ohtani's soreness will impact his pitching availability.