MLB Player News

Alvarez (undisclosed) took batting practice and did some running Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is slowly ramping up after missing all of summer camp for undisclosed reasons. The 23-year-old slugger was originally hoping to return next week, though it's unclear if that's still the plan after manager Dusty Baker said "the cavalry's a ways off." Kyle Tucker should continue to see time at DH and in the outfield in Alvarez's absence.

Brantley (quadriceps) is hitting cleanup as Houston's designated hitter Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Brantley has been cleared to DH after missing the past two games with a quadriceps injury. The veteran outfielder is 14-for-32 with a home run, eight runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base through nine games this season.

Ohtani (forearm) is hitting fourth as the Angels' designated hitter Thursday against the Mariners.

As expected, Ohtani has been cleared to rejoin the lineup as DH after missing a handful of games with a strained forearm. While the issue will keep him from pitching in 2020, Ohtani -- who is 4-for-27 with a pair of home runs and seven RBI this season -- is still expected to serve as the team's primary designated hitter.

Vogelbach is hitting cleanup as Seattle's designated hitter Thursday against the Angels.

Vogelbach is just 2-for-20 this season, though he has more walks (seven) than strikeouts (six). The 27-year-old is Seattle's top left-handed option at DH following Jose Marmolejos' demotion.

Lewis is not starting Thursday against the Angels.

Lewis will head to the bench for the first time all season; through 13 games, the outfielder is 20-for-52 (.385) with three home runs, 10 RBI and a stolen base. Mallex Smith is starting in center field Thursday, with Dylan Moore manning right.

Ohtani (forearm) indicated that he would like to remain a two-way player in 2021, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani won't pitch again this season after being diagnosed with a forearm strain and given a 4-6 week recovery timeline, but he isn't ready to abandon his role as a pitcher in spite of his injury woes since joining the Angels. "It's not as severe as my Tommy John -- it's just a little inflammation in my elbow," Ohtani said through an interpreter. "If it comes down to them telling me to just focus on hitting or focus on pitching, I will listen. But, ideally, I would like to leave the window open for me to do both." The injury isn't likely to prevent Ohtani from hitting, and he is expected to be in the lineup as the team's designated hitter Thursday.

Lewis went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's win over the Angels.

Lewis has hit safely in 12 of Seattle's first 13 games of the season, with the lone exception being an 0-for-4 performance on Aug. 3 against the Athletics. The slugging outfielder has been one of Seattle's hottest bats to start the season and is slashing .385/.439/.577 through his first 57 plate appearances in 2020.

Manager Dusty Baker said Brantley (quadriceps) will serve as the designated hitter Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Baker indicated earlier in the day the 33-year-old was likely to sit out the series finale as a precaution, but he'll instead rejoin the starting nine after missing the past two games. Brantley is 14-for-32 with a home run, eight runs, six RBI and a stolen base to begin the season, so his return to the lineup will be a welcome sight for the Astros.

Ohtani (forearm) is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, but he's expected to start at designated hitter in Thursday's series finale, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The 26-year-old isn't expected to pitch again this season after suffering a forearm strain Sunday, but the team still believes he'll serve as the primary designated hitter the rest of the season. Ohtani has taken the past few days off as the injury is evaluated, but he should be back in the lineup Thursday. Justin Upton will bat cleanup as the DH for Wednesday's contest.

Brantley (quadriceps) is not expected to play Thursday against the Diamondbacks, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley is dealing with a quadriceps injury, and it sounds like manager Dusty Baker wants to play it safe and give the veteran outfielder three full days off before returning him to the lineup Friday against Oakland. Kyle Tucker is starting in place of Brantley -- who is 14-for-32 (.438) with a home run, stolen base and 5:5 BB:K in nine games this season -- on Wednesday.