MLB Player News

Choi went 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Orioles.

Choi has enjoyed a regular role since being recalled from Triple-A Durham on July 10, going 9-for-32 with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and two runs scored. He will almost certainly never face lefties -- he has just 10 at-bats against them in his career -- and has a .405 slugging percentage in 185 career at-bats, so expectations should be limited despite his relatively impressive run recently.

Buxton (wrist) will be reinstated from the minor-league DL at Triple-A Rochester on Friday, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Instead of being activated Thursday, the Twins wanted Buxton to partake in another session of batting practice to make sure he was fully operational. It appears as though his time on the field went by without a hitch, and Buxton should return to Rochester's lineup Friday.

Canha is not in the lineup against Texas on Thursday.

Nick Martini will spell Canha in left field after the latter started the first three games of the series. Over the course of 18 games this month, Canha is slashing .270/.356/.444 with three home runs and 10 RBI.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer, a walk and three strikeouts in Wednesday's 11-3 win over the White Sox.

Ohtani's fifth-inning long ball was his ninth of the season, and helped break open what had previously been just a one-run lead. The 24-year-old is hitting .250/.327/.545 with three homers and five RBI in 44 at-bats since returning off the disabled list at the start of the month. While he continues to work his way toward getting back on the mound, Ohtani figures to stay in the lineup most days as the Angels' DH.

Canha went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, two walks and three runs in an extra-inning win over the Rangers on Tuesday. He's 3-for-8 overall in two games since returning from a hamstring injury.

The outfielder sat out Sunday's series finale against the Giants with hamstring tightness, but he's bounced right back with a pair of productive efforts. Canha is on pace for a career-best power display this season, as he's just three home runs short of equaling the 16 he managed in his rookie 2015 campaign over 45 additional games. Moreover, all three components of his current .257/.333/.464 line qualify as career highs.

Buxton (wrist) is expected to take batting practice again Wednesday and could be activated by Thursday for Triple-A Rochester, Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton hit the shelf July 14 due to a strained left wrist, but he's on the brink of a return. The 24-year-old outfielder took batting practice Tuesday without issue, so depending on how Wednesday's session goes, he could come off the disabled list as soon as Thursday. After being shipped to the minors, Buxton has struggled to a .232/.303/.377 batting line through 18 games for the Red Wings.

Choi is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Yankees, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The move to the bench ends a streak of five consecutive starts for Choi, who has seemingly encroached on C.J. Cron's role as the club's primary designated hitter. Choi has demonstrated solid power and on-base skills while splitting time between the majors and Triple-A this season and could be in store for at least semi-regular work while he's up with the big club.

Martinez went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three RBI in Tuesday's 7-6 loss at Baltimore.

The performance brings Martinez's MLB-leading home run total 31, and his 85 RBI also rank first by a considerable margin. The 30-year-old is showing no ill effects of the upper-body soreness that kept him out of Saturday's contest after he crashed into the outfield wall Friday. Martinez has a .323/.387/.644 slash line in 368 at-bats this season.

Ohtani is out of Tuesday's lineup against the White Sox.

It sounds like the Angels are still going to try to get Ohtani starts primarily against righties, as he had an ugly at-bat in Monday's game against a southpaw, so he takes a seat with Carlos Rodon starting for Chicago. Albert Pujols gets the start at designated hitter, hitting fifth.

Buxton (wrist) progressed to batting practice Tuesday with Triple-A Rochester, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

He hit off the tee and in the batting cages, which represents a significant step in his recovery. Buxton remains without a timetable to be activated from the minor-league DL. Once healthy, he will probably have to show an improved approach at the plate in order to rejoin the big-league club before September.