MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a walk and a three-run home run in Friday's win over the White Sox.

Ohtani clubbed a three-run shot -- his 19th homer of the year -- off Carlos Rodon in the third inning, capping a four-run inning and giving him 50 RBI on the season. Ohtani's blast comes just after the announcement that he plans to finish out the year as a hitter, which could boost his value as he might see more plate appearances. This all depends on the severity of the damage to his UCL tendon and how much that bothers him at the plate. Judging by Friday's performance it appears not to be an issue.

Ohtani said Friday that he will finish out the 2018 season as a hitter and remains undecided regarding his recommended Tommy John surgery, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani stressed that swinging a bat doesn't impact his damaged UCL tendon, which is why he will hold off on making a decision at the present time. Earlier this week, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reported that Tommy John surgery had been recommended to Ohtani, though a Jeff Passan piece at Yahoo Sports explained how the 24-year-old can remain a full-time hitter in 2019 even after undergoing the procedure. Per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group, Ohtani seems to understand that he will require surgery, but isn't completely ready to choose that path with four weeks left in the 2018 campaign. Unsurprisingly, Ohtani added that he will not give up on his pitching career due to this setback.

Brantley (foot) is not in the lineup against Toronto on Friday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Brantley will remain on the bench for a second straight day after fouling a ball off the top of his left foot Wednesday. Manager Terry Francona said Thursday that Brantley will "be fine" and expected him back in the lineup Friday, so there shouldn't be too much concern moving forward. Consider him day-to-day for the time being. Rajai Davis will man left field and bat ninth in his absence.

Brantley was held out of Thursday's lineup against the Blue Jays because of a bruised left foot, Paul Hoynes of Cleveland.com reports.

Brantley fouled a ball off the top of his left foot in Wednesday's victory over the Royals, and he experienced stiffness after the flight to Toronto. The Indians decided to keep him out of the starting nine as a precaution, but he's expected to be back in the lineup for Friday's contest. Manager Terry Francona stated "He's OK. We'll give him tonight to let the trainers do their stuff. He'll be fine."

Brantley is not in the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Brantley is in the midst of a six-game hitting streak, but he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in three games as the Indians look to give him some extra rest down the stretch. Brandon Guyer will start in left field and hit ninth in his stead.

Though Tommy John surgery has been recommended for Ohtani's (right) pitching elbow, four independent doctors told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports that the 24-year-old would still be able to hit on a full-time basis in 2019 even if he undergoes the procedure.

Ohtani certainly showed no signs of the damaged UCL tendon affecting him at the plate Wednesday against the Rangers, as the rookie slotted in at designated hitter and went 4-for-4 with a pair of home runs, a walk, a stolen base and four runs in the Angels' 9-3 triumph. Because Ohtani hits from the left side of the plate, doctors believe the biomechanical elements of his swing likely wouldn't harm a repaired ligament in his right elbow, thereby allowing him to regularly man the DH spot while he spends the next 12-plus months healing up from the surgery. According to one of the surgeons Passan interviewed, Ohtani would likely be unable to take batting practice until around the three-month mark in his recovery from any procedure while he waits for a process called ligamentization to take place, but that would still put him on track for spring training if he goes under the knife early in the offseason. The Angels will almost certainly field more medical opinions before deciding on the best course of action for their young phenom, but it appears there's optimism that Ohtani will be able to take the diamond in some capacity in 2019, though likely not as a two-way player.

Ohtani (elbow) went 4-for-4 with a walk, two home runs, four runs scored and three RBI in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Rangers.

The Angels are faced with a tough decision on if and when to shut Ohtani down and send him for Tommy John surgery, and the two-way superstar isn't making it any easier for them by heating up at the plate. He's now gone 11-for-24 (.458) with five homers in his last eight games as a hitter, pushing his slash line on the season to a robust .287/.367/.579.

Ohtani (elbow) is slated to DH and bat third Wednesday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels announced Wednesday that Ohtani has been recommended for Tommy John surgery after an MRI revealed new damage to his UCL. That announcement was made after the lineup was released but there have been no reported changes to the lineup, so it seems Ohtani will be allowed to continue hitting for the time being. Ohtani homered Tuesday -- his first homer off a lefty in the big leagues.

The Angels have recommended Ohtani (elbow) undergo Tommy John surgery, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

The two-way superstar made just one start before re-injuring his elbow. Ohtani underwent an MRI on Wednesday which revealed new damage to his UCL. He'll likely head for second opinions before a decision on surgery is made, but this is brutal news for Ohtani and the Angels.

Martinez is out of the lineup versus the Braves on Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Martinez will receive a standard day off following eight straight starts as the Red Sox wrap up a three-game set in Atlanta. Manager Alex Cora said last weekend that he wanted to give Martinez at least one breather this series. Look for him to rejoin the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against Houston.