MLB Player News

Canha went 3-for-4 with an RBI double in a loss to the Indians on Friday. He was also caught stealing on his only attempt.

Canha compiled the most hits of any Athletics player Friday, generating his first multi-hit effort since June 19 in the process. The 29-year-old outfielder has been steady at the plate since mid-June, raising his season average 26 points to .264 over his last 15 games. He should have a clear path to regular starts against both right- and left-handed pitching while Matt Joyce (back) is on the disabled list.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs to help Boston to a 10-5 victory over Kansas City on Friday.

he just continues to rake at an epic clip in his first season in Boston, with this second-inning blast off Jason Hammel giving him a league-leading 27 long balls on the season. Martinez is one of the most complete hitters in baseball, as demonstrated by his impeccable .328/.392/.647 slash line, and there's little reason to believe he won't remain as such through the rest of the season.

The Astros promoted Alvarez to Triple-A Fresno on Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Alvarez slashed .325/.389/.615 with 12 home runs in his first season at the Double-A level this year, which made for a short stay at Corpus Christi. The 21-year-old will likely join Fresno's outfield rotation for the rest of the season if he illustrates he can hold his own against superior competition.

Ohtani is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

After making back-to-back starts following his activation from the DL on Tuesday, Ohtani will get a rest day for the series finale. He went 0-for-4 in his first game back before notching a pair of base hits in Wednesday's tilt. He figures to return to the DH spot during the Angels' weekend series against the Dodgers.

Canha went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a win over the Padres on Tuesday.

Canha's 398-foot shot to left in the sixth capped a five-run comeback for the Athletics. The outfielder has somewhat quietly coaxed his season average up 18 points to .256 over the last 12 games, a stretch during which he's slashed .333/.426/.718 with seven extra-base hits (three doubles, four home runs) and 11 RBI. Canha currently sports a career-best .256/.332/.478 line, and he's now just five home runs away from equaling the career-high 16 he slugged over 253 additional plate appearances in his rookie 2015 campaign.

Ohtani (elbow) went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts against the Mariners on Tuesday in his first game back from the DL.

With lefty Wade LeBlanc on the mound for the Mariners, Ohtani was deployed as the Angels' No. 6 hitter Tuesday night. It's unclear if Ohtani will be able to pitch again this season, but he's scheduled to be evaluated again in the coming weeks. Without having to pitch in the near future, Ohtani's workload as the Angels' primary DH could increase from his usage in the first half of the season, but it remains to be seen if the elbow injury will have an impact on his output at the plate.

Stanton was 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a two-run home run and two strikeouts in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Braves.

Stanton has slowly but surely come around in 2018, although his 113 strikeouts in 322 at-bats still aren't pretty. The 28-year-old has a .267/.339/.509 slash line with 20 home runs and 48 RBI in 82 games this season.

Martinez went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's 11-4 win at Washington.

Martinez finished June with a .347/.425/.612 slash line with seven home runs and 20 RBI, and has shown no sign of slowing down. The 31-year-old leads the majors with 26 home runs and 71 RBI through 87 games.

Ohtani (elbow) was activated from the 10-day DL ahead of Tuesday's game against the Mariners, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group reports.

Ohtani will immediately rejoin the starting lineup and bat sixth as the Angels' designated hitter Tuesday. Expect to see him in the lineup regularly since his injured elbow didn't impact any part of his swing during batting practice sessions or simulated games in recent weeks. In regards to pitching, the 23-year-old's status is still uncertain and he will be reevaluated in a couple weeks.

Reed was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Monday.

Reed appeared in just one game, going 0-for-3 Friday against the Rays. He's hit a solid .266/.379/.536 for Fresno this season. Joe Smith (elbow) was reinstated from the 10-day disabled list in a corresponding move.