MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) took live batting practice and participated in a simulated game prior to Saturday's game in Baltimore.

It's the second straight day of batting practice for Ohtani, and facing live pitchers during the simulated game represents a big step for his potential return as a designated hitter. The Angels indicated the 23-year-old's pitching prospects for 2018 will be reevaluated in three weeks after he receives a PRP injection, but he could seemingly return to the team as a DH as soon as next week's series in Seattle.

Manager Paul Molitor said Saturday that there's no guarantee Buxton (toe) will be recalled once his 20-day rehab assignment ends, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Buxton is currently on Day 12 of his latest rehab stint, so the Twins have roughly a week to make a decision. The 24-year-old has hit safely in six of nine games since reporting to Triple-A Rochester, but only once has he had multiple hits, leading to a .206/.250/.324 slash line. It sounds like the Twins want Buxton to get more comfortable at the plate while also giving Jake Cave a bit more time to make an impression.

Reed started at first base Friday in place of Yulieski Gurriel (personal) and went 0-for-3 in a 3-2 loss to the Rays.

Reed made no impact as a hitter, but he was involved in a game-deciding sequence in the field. He was unable to scoop a low throw that paved the way for two unearned runs to score. Reed made his first start since being called up from Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, when Gurriel left the team on paternity leave. Gurriel is expected to return no later than Sunday.

The White Sox will consider promoting Jimenez to the majors this season if he forces their hand, according to director of player development Chris Getz, Max Gelman of MiLB.com reports.

While it's easy to turn this story into an attention-grabbing headline, there's not a lot of substance here, as there are plenty of qualifiers and no guarantees. It's not clear exactly what level of performance would force the team's hand, and even then, Getz only says they would consider promoting their top prospect. There is much more to be gained by keeping Jimenez down until mid-April 2019 than to promote him this summer in a non-competitive season. Jimenez, who was already promoted to Triple-A Charlotte on June 21, is hitting .250/.351/.438 with two home runs and a 5:4 K:BB in 37 plate appearances at the highest level of the minor leagues.

Ohtani (elbow) took batting practice on the field again Friday and said afterward that he "felt great," Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Friday's batting practice session marked Ohtani's second in as many days, and he could progress to taking live batting practice as soon as this weekend. The Angels have made it clear that they plan to have Ohtani return as a hitter this season, and given how well he's responded so far to his hitting program, a return as the DH before the All-Star break or shortly thereafter seems entirely possible. As far as pitching goes, Ohtani was recently treated with a PRP injection in his pitching elbow and the team will follow up in three weeks or so to determine if a return to the mound is realistic for this season.

Rooker went 2-for-4 with two home runs Thursday for Double-A Chattanooga. He's hitting .265/318/.495 with 13 home runs in 71 games.

Rooker continues to display impressive power but he still has a problematic 28.5 percent strikeout rate and a walk rate that has declined to seven percent at Double-A. His age (23) also would appear to cap the upside of the 2017 1st-round draft pick. Despite those flaws, he continues to produce at each level.

Ohtani (elbow) was cleared to begin a hitting program and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

General manager Billy Eppler said that Ohtani's MRI revealed improvement and indicated healing in his ligament. This will allow Ohtani to start batting practice immediately, though Eppler was noncommittal when discussing his pitching prospects. The GM added that Ohtani's check-up with doctors in three weeks will give the team a better idea of whether he'll be able to pitch again this year. Looking ahead, Ohtani is not expected to appear in any minor-league rehab contests, rather, he will resume hitting in simulated games and could face live pitching as soon as this weekend if all goes according to plan, per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group. Additionally, Eppler made it known that none of the doctors he spoke with said Ohtani would require a surgical procedure at this time. Though that's obviously a positive sign, there's a long way to go before the right-hander is out of the woods.

Goins was designated for assignment by the Royals on Thursday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic reports.

Goins was removed from the active and 40-man rosters in order to make room for Jorge Bonifacio, who was reinstated from his suspension in a corresponding move. Over 41 games with the Royals, Goins hit .226 with a pedestrian .565 OPS and just six RBI. He will now enter waivers and could find a new home by next week.

Buxton (toe) will play in both games of a doubleheader for Triple-A Rochester on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Buxton appears to be closing in on a return to the big leagues as he's set to compete in another twin-bill at the Triple-A level. Over six games with Rochester in the past couple weeks, he's gone 4-for-22 with one home run and four RBI, and more importantly, hasn't experienced any setbacks or pain in the fractured left big toe. Look for an update on his status from manager Paul Molitor in the coming days.

Reed was called up from Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

With Yulieski Gurriel away from the team while awaiting the birth of his child, Reed will step in and provide extra depth at first base in his absence. It seems likely that Reed will be shipped back down to the minors once Gurriel is reinstated from the paternity leave list, but the former has continued to prove his worth at the Triple-A level this season, recording an OPS of .915 with 18 home runs and 67 RBI in 73 games.