MLB Player News

Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Rays are opposing a left-handed primary pitcher (Wade LeBlanc) in the series finale, so Choi will take a seat while Jesus Aguilar mans first base. Since generating eight hits in a four-game stretch from July 28 through Aug. 3, Choi has gone 5-for-35 (.143 average) with five RBI and two runs in 12 games.

Solak went a combined 2-for-8 with a solo home run while playing both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Solak made his major league debut, serving as the designated hitter in the matinee and the second baseman in the nightcap. He launched his first MLB home run in the fifth inning of the second game. He was brought up to Texas after the team placed outfielder Nomar Mazara (oblique strain) on the injured list. Mazara joins fellow outfielder Joey Gallo (wrist) on the IL. The 24-year-old Solak plays the outfield as well and could get a fair share of at-bats while the Rangers evaluate him over the final six weeks of the season.

Stanton (knee) was seen running in the outfield prior to Tuesday's game at Oakland, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

It was last reported that Stanton was running up to 75-to-85 percent on an anti-gravity treadmill, so his progression to running on flat ground is good news for his recovery from the PCL strain. GM Brian Cashman said last week that the veteran slugger is expected to return in September, and the team is likely to remain cautious with his return while managing a comfortable lead in the AL East. Stanton has already resumed light baseball activities and should continue ramping things up, perhaps in advance of a rehab assignment.

Vogelbach will head to the bench for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

The Rays are expected to deploy a lefty in Jalen Beeks as the primary pitcher, so Vogelbach will get the night off. Omar Narvaez will slot in as the designated hitter with Vogelbach on the bench.

Solak's contract was purchased from Triple-A Nashville and he is starting at designated hitter and batting sixth in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Solak, whom the Rangers acquired from Tampa Bay in mid-July, is capable of playing second base and all three outfield spots, but he will get eased in as the DH. Nomar Mazara (oblique strain) was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move, which should free up some opportunities for Solak down the stretch. The Rangers would have needed to add Solak to the 40-man roster this offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, so they just made the move now in order to evaluate him in the majors over the final six weeks of the season. He hit .291/.363/.536 with 27 home runs and five steals in 114 games at Triple-A.

Ohtani is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels are slated to face a pair of southpaw starters (Joe Palumbo and Brock Burke) in the twin bill, so it's not too surprising that the lefty-hitting Ohtani will be withheld from the lineup for one of the contests. Ohtani turned in a productive night in an 8-7 loss Monday in the series opener, going 2-for-4 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base, an RBI and two runs.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a triple, a walk, a stolen base and an RBI while scoring twice in a loss to Texas on Monday.

Ohtani tripled home a run in the second inning and singled in the seventh for his eighth multi-hit effort in August. Despite homering just once this month, the 25-year-old has been effective at the plate, slashing .344/.385/.541 with 10 RBI in 17 games.

Goins went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 6-4 win over the Twins.

Goins remains in the starting lineup as a replacement for the injured Yoan Moncada (hamstring) for a few more days. Moncada is due back Thursday.

Buxton (shoulder) has been cleared for soft toss and tee work, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Buxton has been on the injured list since Aug. 3 due to a left shoulder subluxation, and while he remains without a firm timetable for his return, it's good to see him swinging a bat again without issue. He'll likely need to progress to live batting practice before heading out on a rehab assignment.

Martinez went 3-for-5 with a double, a run and two RBI in Sunday's 13-7 win over the Orioles.

As has been the case for many hitters this season, Martinez enjoyed a strong series versus Baltimore, notching four hits, three RBI and three runs during the three-game set. After posting an OPS over 1.000 both of the past two seasons, Martinez is down to .946 in 2019, rendering him somewhat of a disappointment relative to his acquisition cost in drafts and auctions. The back issues he's managed off and on this season have likely factored into that downturn to some extent, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Red Sox ease up on Martinez's workload if the team finds itself out of the playoff hunt by mid-September.