MLB Player News

Canha went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run, two additional runs scored and a walk in Friday's 7-2 win over the Angels.

The utilityman scored on homers by Matt Olson in the first and third innings before taking Angels reliever Luke Bard deep himself in the seventh inning. Canha has found playing time somewhat inconsistent, playing in 51 games with 11 homers, 21 RBI and 30 runs scored. He's never hit for a high average, but a .368 on-base percentage and a .525 slugging percentage have been enough to keep him in the lineup as a power option for the homer-happy Athletics.

Buxton (wrist) took batting practice on the field and did some baserunning prior to Friday's game, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

It remains to be seen when Buxton will be able to return -- the Twins have not ruled out a very brief rehab assignment. Max Kepler starts in center field while Luis Arraez gets the nod in left.

Alvarez (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Mariners, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez exited Thursday's game for precautionary reasons but won't be in the lineup for Friday's series opener. Manager AJ Hinch indicated he might give the 22-year-old a day or two off, so his absence isn't a major surprise. George Springer will serve as the designated hitter while Jake Marisnick starts in center field.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday.

Vogelbach opened the scoring on the afternoon for the Mariners with his sixth-inning double, and he subsequently crossed the plate with Seattle's second run courtesy of Tim Beckham's two-bagger. Vogelbach has been a consistent run-producing machine throughout the season, with his 47 RBI ranking behind only Domingo Santana among Seattle players still on the roster. Moreover, his above-average walk rate (18.1 percent) has led to a career-high .385 on-base percentage.

Choi entered Thursday's extra-innings win over the Twins as a pinch hitter in the top of the 10th inning and went 1-for-2 with an RBI infield single and three walks.

Choi opened the game on the bench with southpaw Martin Perez on the hill for Minnesota, but he ultimately got a full allotment of at-bats in the 18-inning marathon. The 28-year-old has reached safely in six of his last seven games, and Thursday's production pushed his season line to a solid .269/.354/.436 across 263 plate appearances.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 8-3 victory over the A's.

Ohtani extended the Angels' lead with a two-run homer off starter Tanner Anderson in the third inning. The 24-year-old also tallied three strikeouts for the first time in over a month. Regardless, Ohtani has been on an absolute tear since coming off the injured list, slashing .290/.352/.519 with 10 home runs, 33 RBI and 22 runs scored over 162 plate appearances.

Manager AJ Hinch said Alvarez (knee) was removed from Thursday's game against the Pirates for precautionary reasons, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez was removed from Thursday's game with left knee discomfort after playing three innings in left field. While it doesn't sound like the young slugger is dealing with anything overly serious, the Astros sent him for tests to be sure, per Rome, while Hinch noted that he would probably give Alvarez a "day or two off" to be safe.

Ohtani went 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored Wednesday in the Angels' 5-1 win over the Reds.

Ohtani's final hit of the day proved to be the most pivotal, as his single off Raisel Iglesias in the bottom of the eighth put Mike Trout in position for the go-ahead run. Even as Ohtani continues his rehab from Tommy John surgery, the Angels haven't asked him to tone down his aggressive on the bases -- the stolen base was his fourth in 43 games this season. With Los Angeles wrapping up its first-half schedule with 11 games in 11 days -- all in American League parks -- Ohtani shouldn't be in danger of sitting out more than a game or two, making him a worthy lineup option in every format.

Alvarez left Thursday's game against the Pirates with left knee discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He fouled a ball off his knee in Tuesday's game, but was able to finish that game and play Wednesday as the designated hitter. However, three innings in left field Thursday may have aggravated the issue. Tony Kemp replaced him. Alvarez should be considered day-to-day ahead of this weekend's home series against the Mariners.

General manager Brian Cashman said Thursday that he doesn't expect Stanton (knee) to return from the 10-day injured list in July, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton exited Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays with what was initially labeled as a right knee contusion, but a follow-up MRI revealed that he was actually dealing with a strained PCL. While Cashman didn't pinpoint an exact timeline for Stanton's return, he called August "the sweet spot" for when the slugger might resume playing again, per Hoch. With Stanton on the shelf for at least a month, Brett Gardner is expected to settle back into an everyday role in the outfield. Clint Frazier could also be recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in the near future to offer another alternative while Stanton is sidelined.