MLB Player News

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a double and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Rays.

Alvarez opened the game's scoring with his fourth-inning blast off Michael Wacha. He later doubled and scored to allow the Astros to retake the lead in the sixth. The 6-foot-5 slugger is slashing .313/.360/.550 with 12 extra-base knocks in 89 plate appearances.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Mercedes wasn't scratched from the lineup Sunday against Cleveland for any reason related to injury, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

The skipper noted that Mercedes reported late to the ballpark Sunday, but La Russa said the 28-year-old's late arrival wasn't the reason why he was held out of the lineup. Instead, La Russa suggested it was a close call whether to use Mercedes or Jake Lamb as the team's designated hitter Sunday, and the manager ultimately chose to go with Lamb. After Sunday, the White Sox will play a two-game series in Cincinnati on Tuesday and Wednesday, and with no designated hitter available in the National League park, Mercedes is expected to sit out both contests. With that in mind, fantasy managers are probably best off leaving Mercedes on the bench for Chicago's upcoming five-game week.

Mercedes was scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against Cleveland for an unspecified reason.

The White Sox initially announced Mercedes as their starting designated hitter and No. 5 hitter for the series finale, but he'll instead get the day off while Jake Lamb replaces him in the lineup. Expect the team to provide more information regarding why Mercedes was removed from the lineup later Sunday, but it's possible he may just be getting a maintenance day. Mercedes had started in 14 of the White Sox's last 15 games.

Canha went 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk in Saturday's loss against the Orioles.

Canha launched his fourth homer of the season Saturday in the seventh inning off reliever Cole Sulser, and this also means he has hit safely in four of the team's last five games. The veteran outfielder is hitting only .263 with a .754 OPS in that span, though.

Ohtani went 0-for-4 with a walk, a run, an RBI and a stolen base in a 10-5 win over Seattle on Saturday.

Ohtani didn't manage to collect a hit in the contest, but he still contributed amidst a big day by the Angels offense. The two-way star scored the game's first run on a Mike Trout homer in the first inning, then knocked in a run with a groundout in the second. Ohtani has been among the game's elite offensive performers through the early stages of the campaign, racking up eight homers, 20 RBI, 19 runs and four stolen bases while slashing .271/.314/.625.

Torrens isn't starting Saturday's game against the Angels.

Torrens has gone 3-for-12 with two extra-base hits, three RBI and two runs in his last three games, but he continues to alternate starts behind the dish. Tom Murphy will start at catcher and bat eighth.

Reyes was placed on the paternity list Saturday.

Reyes will be able to remain on the paternity list for 1-3 days following the birth of his child. Daniel Johnson was recalled in a corresponding move, and he'll start in right field and lead off against the White Sox on Saturday.

Stanton isn't starting Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Stanton had gone 11-for-20 with two extra-base hits, five runs and an RBI in the last four games. Aaron Judge will serve as the designated hitter while Clint Frazier starts in right field.

Buxton went 1-for-4 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 9-1 win over the Royals.

Buxton knocked a single in his first at-bat and promptly stole second for his third stolen base of the year. The 27-year-old also made a couple of highlight-reel catches in center field, robbing Andrew Benintendi of two hits and robbing the Royals of putting some more runs on the board. Buxton is making an early MVP case after the first month. He's slashing .426/.466/.897 with eight home runs, 14 RBI and 15 runs scored. He's also one of the faster players in the league, so more steals should come and if he can stay healthy, Buxton could have the chance to be one of the top-performing fantasy players this season.

Alvarez went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Friday's 9-2 win over the Rays.

Alvarez was back in the lineup after missing two games while on the COVID-19 injured list. He's hit safely in three straight games and six of the last seven.