MLB Player News

Brantley (wrist) did not take batting practice Monday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley reportedly improved Monday after a taking a pitch off his right wrist during Saturday's game in Oakland, but he still wasn't well enough to take BP. The Astros are holding out hope that he can play Tuesday, but manager Dusty Baker acknowledged they won't "force it." With a day off coming Wednesday, Baker may hold out Brantley until Thursday's home opener against Oakland. Aledmys Diaz started in left field Monday after Chas McCormick filled in Sunday.

Mercedes went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored in Monday's 6-0 win over the Mariners.

The Cinderella start continued for Mercedes, who penned his name into MLB and White Sox history books once again. Among several esoteric benchmarks, his 12 hits are the most by any player in the modern era over his first four career starts. This entirely unexpected hot streak has resulted in Mercedes getting more plate appearances than planned over the first week of the season. He's now seemingly locked him in as the team's top DH, for now at least.

Lewis (knee) started hitting in the batting cages under Safeco Field on Monday, the Associated Press reports.

The slugging outfielder is still expected to remain out until the latter part of April, but Monday's developments are another important step for Lewis' recovery. Manager Scott Servais was cautiously optimistic about the news, noting the team still wants to be "careful in how quick we ramp him up" but adding that he sees Lewis "moving in the right direction."

Canha went 2-for-5 with a home run in Monday's loss against the Dodgers.

Canha, who launched his first homer of the season in this game, continues to work as the Athletics' leadoff hitter, and while he's not a prototypical fit at the top of the order, the experiment has worked thus far -- he has reached base safely in every single game while recording back-to-back multi-hit appearances. In fact, he was the only Oakland player who recorded two or more knocks in this game.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with two walks, a three-run home run and a second run scored in Monday's 11-2 win over the Rays.

His eighth-inning blast off 2020 teammate Chris Mazza came when the game was well in hand. Martinez has an extra-base in all four games to begin the season and has already racked up two homers and six RBI after managing a disappointing seven home runs and 27 RBI in 54 games last year.

Rooker started in left field and went 1-for-6 in Monday's win over Detroit.

It was curious that Rooker got a start in left field before Kyle Garlick, who initially beat him out for a reserve outfield spot in spring training. It was likely a spot start for Rooker, but there is a chance that he could platoon in left field with Jake Cave when Byron Buxton returns from an illness.

Stanton went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Monday's 7-0 win over Baltimore.

Stanton launched his first home run of the season in exciting fashion, drilling a 471-foot grand slam as part of a five-run fifth for the Yankees. He's now 1-for-12 on the season with four strikeouts.

Ohtani (ankle) will be available to hit off the bench Monday night against the Astros, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani reportedly wanted to be right back in the starting lineup for Monday's contest after suffering an ankle injury Sunday evening, but the Angels will keep him on the bench as a precaution. He could pinch hit for his club if needed, however.

Canha went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two runs in a loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Canha led off in each installment of the season-opening four-game set versus the Astros, hitting safely in three of those games and reaching safely in all of them. The veteran doesn't have the speed of a traditional leadoff hitter, but he more than makes up for it with a solid power stroke and a discerning eye at the plate that's led to double-digit walk rates each of the last two seasons.

Buxton (illness) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

Manager Rocco Baldelli will give Buxton some additional time to recover after the outfielder exited in the third inning of Sunday's win over Milwaukee with a non-COVID-19-related illness. Assuming Buxton isn't dealing with anything more than a minor bug, he should be ready to rejoin the lineup at some point during the three-game series in Detroit. Jake Cave will cover center field in place of Buxton on Monday.