MLB Player News

Ohtani isn't in Friday's starting lineup against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani will get another day to rest as he was out of the lineup Wednesday and the team had a scheduled day off Thursday. Albert Pujols is slated to serve as the designated hitter with Ohtani on the bench.

Soler (toe) took some at-bats against Ian Kennedy in a simulated game Friday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

Soler has been shut down since June 17 with a left toe fracture. It's positive news that he's hitting against live pitching, as this likely means he's almost ready for a rehab stint. More news on his progress should surface as Soler nears a return from the disabled list.

Canha is not in the lineup against the Twins on Thursday.

Canha will head back to the bench for the fourth time in the past six contests as Ramon Laureano gets another start in the outfield. At this point, Canha appears to have lost his grasp as a regular starter with manager Bob Melvin preferring an outfield composed of Nick Martini, Stephen Piscotty and Laureano.

Brantley is not in the lineup against Boston on Thursday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Brantley will head to the bench with southpaw David Price on the bump for the Red Sox. In his place, Melky Cabrera will man left field while Brandon Guyer draws another start in right.

Ohtani is not in the lineup Wednesday against Arizona.

Ohtani has been strictly a designated hitter on the offensive side of the ball with the Angels, and with the series being played in a National League park, there's no room for him in the lineup. Wednesday's contest is the second game of a two-game series, so he'll have a chance to return to the lineup Friday against the Astros.

Cabrera (biceps), who had been doing physical therapy in Ann Arbor, Mich. in recent weeks, has moved his rehab program to Miami, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Cabrera makes his offseason home in Florida, so it was fully expected that he would eventually shift his rehab there once he reached certain benchmarks in his physical therapy. After undergoing surgery in June to repair a ruptured tendon in his left biceps, Cabrera is likely still a few months away from resuming baseball activities, but the first baseman previously said that he expects to be ready for the start of spring training. Cabrera slashed .299/.395/.448 over 38 games for the Tigers before requiring the season-ending procedure.

Canha is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers.

Canha will retreat to the bench for the third time in four days as Ramon Laureano picks up another start in center field in his stead. The outfielder is hitting .247/.323/.434 with 14 homers through 100 games this season.

Stanton is hitting second and starting in right field Tuesday in Miami, Erik Boland of Newsday reports.

This was fully expected, as the Yankees said Stanton, who had been dealing hamstring tightness, would be able to play the field in this interleague series, but now we have confirmation. Stanton is hitting .324/.407/.743 with eight home runs in 74 at-bats this month. The Yankees have another game in Miami on Wednesday, followed by an off day before heading to Baltimore for this weekend's series.

Choi went 1-for-2 with two walks in a win over the Royals on Monday.

Choi's hitting streak is now up to eight games, a stretch during which he's boosted his season average 35 points to .248. The 27-year-old has five extra-base hits (three doubles, two home runs) over that span, and he brings some power upside to a Rays lineup that lost some pop when Wilson Ramos was traded to the Phillies.

Ohtani (elbow) threw 29 pitches in a simulated game Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

He faced both left-handed and right-handed hitters and the Angels said everything went well. This was a big step, as he had previously been throwing bullpen sessions. He continues to work toward a potential return to the mound in September. The next step could be a lengthier sim game or a rehab assignment.