MLB Player News

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.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Ohtani (back/finger) will throw two bullpen sessions this week -- one Wednesday and one Friday -- before determining if he'll start Sunday against the White Sox, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Scioscia said Ohtani will throw a light bullpen session Wednesday before ramping things up in Friday's session. If all goes well, it sounds like the two-way star won't be forced to miss a turn through the rotation. The injury apparently doesn't inhibit his offensive ability, as he's hitting second against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Vogelbach was called up by the Mariners on Tuesday.

Vogelbach hit just .212/.342/.333 in 25 games with the Mariners earlier in the year. He'll likely be little more than a bench bat over the final month of the season.

Ohtani (back/finger) returns to the lineup Tuesday against Texas, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani left his Sunday start early with both back stiffness and a sore finger. He didn't bat Monday, though he's always been rested the day after he pitches. It appears the injuries won't prevent him from hitting, though it remains to be seen whether they'll have any effect on his ability to pitch.

Choi is not in the lineup Tuesday against Toronto, Juan Toribio of The Athletic Tampa Bay reports.

Choi hasn't started against a single lefty since joining the Rays. That trend continues Tuesday with Ryan Borucki on the mound. Tommy Pham will be the designated hitter in his absence.

Brantley is not starting Tuesday against the Royals.

Brantley sits for just the third time since the All-Star break. He's hit a solid .295/.362/.404 in the second half, slightly down from his .308/.355/.493 first-half line. Brandon Guyer will start in left field in his absence.

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

Canha's fifth-inning, 407-foot shot to left closed out the scoring on the day and enabled him to tie the career high in home runs he'd established back during his rookie 2015 campaign. The 29-year-old has now gone deep in back-to-back contests following a power drought that stretched back to July 31, but his playing time remains somewhat in flux due to the emergence of Ramon Laureano.