MLB Player News

Ohtani is not in the lineup Monday against the Padres.

Ohtani will head to the bench for Monday's series opener with no DH spot available in the Padres' National League ballpark. With the Angels playing a three-game set in San Diego, look for the 24-year-old to rejoin the starting lineup Thursday against the Rangers.

Ohtani's (elbow) next bullpen session will come Monday according to manager Mike Scioscia, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Ohtani's elbow is holding up fine enough for hitting (as evidenced by his name in the lineup Sunday as the designated hitter), but it seems like he's also ramping up his pitching. Ardaya commented that the catcher will be squatting in Monday's session and Scioscia said that his throwing will be "a little more than touch and feel" in terms of intensity. It's unclear how close Ohtani is to throwing in games again, but it seems like a return to the mound this season isn't entirely out of the question as things stand now.

Soler (toe) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Saturday, Rustin Dodd of The Athletic Kansas City reports.

The move won't change much for Soler, who will still be eligible to come off the disabled list next week, although that is extremely unlikely. The 26-year-old is not near a minor-league rehab assignment and is looking at a return in late August, at the absolute earliest.

Martinez went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three RBI and two walks in the second game of a doubleheader against the Orioles on Saturday.

After falling flat with an 0-for-4 outing in Game 1, Martinez popped one off Yefry Ramirez in the fourth inning and Mike Wright in the seventh. Delivering a .332/.400/.666 slash line with 37 homers, 104 RBI and 87 runs -- accumulated across just 487 plate appearances -- Martinez has launched himself into the American League MVP conversation.

Brantley went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a double in the Indians' 3-1 win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Brantley took a meatball of a James Shields curveball into the right-field bullpen during the sixth inning. His 13th homer of the year topped off a three-knock effort that pushed his slash line up to .297/.349/.468 over 458 plate appearances. He's added eight stolen bases and 32 walks while striking out only 38 times.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a walk and a pair of runs in Saturday's victory over the Rangers.

The homer, Stanton's 29th of the year, opened the scoring in the first inning off Drew Hutchison. He also singled and scored in the seventh. Stanton is very unlikely to get anywhere close to the 59 homers he hit last season, but he only needs nine more the rest of the way to post the second-highest total of his career. A second straight season with at least 40 home runs is very much within reach.

Ohtani (elbow) completed a short bullpen session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic Los Angeles reports.

Ohtani threw 20 fastballs, all with the catcher standing up. He also threw some off-speed pitches while long tossing. The session appears to have gone well. He's been available as a designated hitter but hasn't been able to pitch in a game since early June. The fact that he's throwing off a mound suggests he could make it back as a pitcher before the end of the season, but the low intensity of the session means that day isn't likely to come any time soon.

Manager Aaron Boone said Saturday that Stanton's hamstring tightness has not subsided since he began feeling it a week ago, Lindsey Adler of The Athletic reports.

This issue has forced Boone to play Stanton primarily in the DH spot, which is where he's spent five of the past seven games. Unsurprisingly, he's listed as the Yankees designated hitter for Saturday's game against Texas as well. Though he's clearly fighting off the discomfort, it hasn't impacted Stanton's play, as he's hitting .276 with three home runs and eight RBI over those past seven games.

Ohtani will sit against a lefty for the second straight game Friday against Oakland.

In a small, 65-plate appearance sample, Ohtani has hit only .175/.277/.246 against lefties, good for a 52 wRC+. That's a far cry from his .312/.382/.652 line (181 wRC+) against righties. It's possible he could continue to be platooned going forward. Albert Pujols will again be the Angels' designated hitter Friday, with Jefry Marte starting at first base.

Choi went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Orioles on Thursday.

Choi closed the Rays' deficit to a run with his 376-foot shot to left off David Hess in the third inning. The 27-year-old has shown some pop this season during his time with the Brewers and in Tampa, with eight of his 18 hits going for extra bases. He continues to rotate with C.J. Cron at first base and designated hitter, with his playing time consistent enough to warrant him a degree of consideration in all season-long formats and as an affordable DFS play.