MLB Player News

The Angels plan to have Ohtani complete a bullpen session Monday, though he may have to pitch with a bandage over his blistered finger, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani will continue to play regularly as a designated hitter while he contends with the blister, but the Angels want to see how he checks out during a throwing session before determining when he'll make his next start on the mound. The Angels have already excluded Ohtani from their pitching schedule for their three-game series in Kansas City that begins Monday, but if the lefty checks out fine during the bullpen session, he could return to the hill at some point during the Halos' series with the Twins next weekend.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Sunday that Rooker (neck) should begin receiving at-bats in simulated games at the Twins' alternate site in Saint Paul during the upcoming week, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Rooker appears to be tracking toward a minimum-length stay on the 10-day injured list, but he's not expected to have a regular role waiting for him in Minnesota once he's reinstated. With third baseman Josh Donaldson (hamstring) seemingly in line to come off the IL on Monday, Luis Arraez will likely shift to left field to handle an everyday gig. Rooker and Jake Cave had previously been vying for at-bats in left.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Sunday that Cabrera (biceps) is without a clear timeline for a return from the 10-day injured list, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Cabrera was moved to the IL earlier Sunday with a left biceps strain, an injury that previously bothered the veteran during the 2016 and 2018 seasons. While Cabrera isn't believed to be dealing with a ruptured tendon -- which sidelined him for a large portion of 2018 -- the Tigers will still send him for more tests Sunday in order to ascertain the extent of his injury. Renato Nunez was called up from the Tigers' alternate site in a corresponding move, and he's expected to serve as the primary replacement for Cabrera at first base or designated hitter.

The Red Sox reinstated Martinez (illness) from the COVID-19 injured list ahead of Sunday's series finale in Baltimore.

Martinez was placed on the COVID-19 IL in accordance with health and safety protocols after he exhibited some symptoms of a cold following Thursday's win over the Orioles. He remained away from the team for Saturday's game as a result, but after he subsequently tested negative for the virus in all of his rapid tests, Martinez will be allowed to rejoin the Red Sox. He'll serve as Boston's designated hitter and bat third in the order Sunday as the Red Sox conclude the divisional series.

The Tigers placed Cabrera on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a left biceps strain, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Cabrera had gotten off to a poor 3-for-24 start to the season at the plate, but he wasn't known to be dealing with an arm injury until he was placed on the IL prior to Sunday's series finale in Cleveland. The 37-year-old notably missed extensive time in 2018 with a ruptured left biceps tendon, so it's somewhat troubling that he's dealing with a related injury, albeit one of lesser severity. The Tigers selected the contract of Renato Nunez from the alternate site to fill Cabrera's spot on the active roster, and Nunez could be in store for regular work at either first base or designated hitter while the two-time MVP is on the shelf.

Lewis (knee) has been able to increase his activity level and intensity in recent days without any setbacks, the Associated Press reports.

Manager Scott Servais noted Saturday he's been receiving excellent reviews on Lewis, who's yet to make his regular-season debut due to the bone bruise he suffered late in spring training. The slugging outfielder could make his long-awaited return to game action during the team's next homestand, which begins Friday.

Reyes went 1-for-4 with a home run in Saturday's win over the Tigers.

Reyes took Tyler Alexander deep in the seventh inning and has been scorching hot to begin the year -- he has hit safely in each of his last six games while recording back-to-back games with home runs for the first time in 2021. The slugger is hitting .296 with four homers and a 1.072 OPS through 28 plate appearances this season.

Martinez (cold symptoms) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list Saturday.

The 33-year-old was withheld from Saturday's lineup due to cold symptoms, and he'll now be unavailable while on the COVID-IL. The specialized injured list doesn't have a minimum stay, so Martinez could make a quick return to the roster if he continues to test negative for the virus. Michael Chavis was recalled from the alternate training site in a corresponding move.

Ohtani (finger) could throw a bullpen session Monday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was scratched from his scheduled pitching start for Sunday's game due to a blister, but he could throw once again Monday. It's not yet clear whether the right-hander will throw with a bandage on his finger. Since Ohtani's throwing session would occur Monday, he could miss a full turn through the rotation due to his injury. However, Ohtani has still been able to hit recently and is starting Saturday's game against Toronto as the designated hitter, batting second.

Martinez isn't starting Saturday's game against the Orioles due to cold symptoms, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martinez started each of the first seven games of the year and went 13-for-30 with nine extra-base hits and 12 RBI while recording hits in every contest. However, he's feeling under the weather Saturday and is in the COVID protocols as a precautionary measure, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports. Christian Vazquez will serve as the designated hitter and bat fourth Saturday.