MLB Player News

Ohtani is out of the lineup Saturday against the Rays.

Ohtani is scheduled to pitch in Sunday's contest, so he won't be the designated hitter Saturday, following the same system the Angels have used all season. The team (and Ohtani's fantasy owners) would probably love him to hit more often, as he's hitting .321/.367/.619 with six homers in 90 plate appearances. It's remained a sacrifice worth making in order to allow him to pitch, however, as he's also recorded a 3.58 ERA and a 32.8 percent strikeout rate through his first six starts on the mound.

Miller is not in the lineup Saturday against the Angels.

Miller has lived up to modest expectations so far this season, hitting .250/.325/.411 with four home runs in 34 games. He'll get the day off Saturday against the left-handed Andrew Heaney, with C.J. Cron playing first base.

Buxton is not in the lineup against Milwaukee on Saturday.

Buxton is just 2-for-23 since returning from a trip to the disabled list with migraines and a fractured toe. On the season, he's hitting just .156/.194/.203. Jake Cave will make his major-league debut in center field in Buxton's place.

Miller went 3-for-5 with a run in a win over the Angels on Friday.

All three hits were singles, but the performance served as Miller's fourth multi-hit effort over the last nine games. A solid month has brought the veteran's season average up 24 points to .250 since May 1, and his slugging percentage vaulted over the .400 mark as well.

Martinez (illness) will DH and bat in the cleanup position against Baltimore on Friday, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Martinez was removed from Thursday's game due to a stomach illness but as expected, the slugger won't be forced to miss any additional time. Over 42 games this season, he's slashing .344/.394/.656 with 13 home runs and 38 RBI.

Martinez is expected to play Friday despite leaving Thursday's game due to a stomach illness, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed it after Thursday's win, so JDM's fantasy managers can breathe easier. Martinez had cracked a two-run homer before heading to the sidelines, and Boston seemingly was taking precaution with their masher.

Martinez left Thursday's game against the Orioles due to a stomach illness.

Martinez might have made the Orioles sicker than the stomach bug made him, cranking a shot deep over the center field wall in the first inning to give the Sox a two-run lead. Blake Swihart replaced him in the game, though Martinez was in there for three at-bats and Boston had a big lead, so it seems the slugger has a decent chance at returning for Friday's second game of the series vs. the O's.

Martinez went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

Martinez's first-inning home run gave the Red Sox an early cushion and was his 12th of the season. If it seems like Martinez is bashing homers every other day, that's because he's hit seven over the last 14 games. After a cold start to the season, Martinez has hit .388/.442/.716 since April 13 and is now tied for second in MLB with 36 RBI.

Alvarez (hand) was placed on the minor-league disabled list Wednesday.

It was originally reported that Alvarez suffered the injury after getting hit in the hand by a pitch, but it turns out the 20-year-old actually sustained the injury in an outfield collision back on May 6. He was apparently able to flex his arm and hand while walking off the field, but hasn't played since and is set to remain sidelined for at least another week. Alvarez was impressing early on in his first taste of Double-A ball, batting .299/.374/.542 with six homers and 26 RBI through 27 games before going down with the injury.

Brantley went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 6-0 win over the Tigers.

It was his sixth homer of the season and third in the last six games, as Brantley continues to enjoy a fantastic May. The 31-year-old is now hitting a cool .333 (20-for-60) on the month with four home runs, 18 RBI and 14 runs in 14 games.