MLB Player News

Yelich is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Yelich started the previous five games and will get a breather Sunday after going 3-for-19 with three walks, a steal and five strikeouts during that span. Jake Bauers will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts at first base for the series finale in Anaheim.

Smith is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Nationals.

The 31-year-old started Atlanta's last two matchups versus right-handed pitching and went 2-for-6 with a home run, a walk, two RBI and three runs, but he'll retreat to the bench Sunday against righty Cade Cavalli. Smith looks like he'll have to settle for a part-time role at designated hitter versus righties while Mike Yastrzemski and Ronald Acuna both see more time at that spot following their recent returns from the injured list.

Eldridge went 2-for-5 in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Padres.

Eldridge hit a leadoff single in the first inning and added another base hit to begin the fifth. The 21-year-old has delivered three multi-hit performances since the All-Star break, batting .193 with seven runs scored, six RBI, three home runs and a stolen base in 66 plate appearances during that span. Overall, he's slashing .253/.350/.445 with 35 runs scored, 26 RBI, 11 long balls and a stolen base across 283 plate appearances this season.

Suarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

The veteran slugger started the previous four games but will hit the bench Sunday while in the midst of a 2-for-26 slump, during which he has struck out 16 times. Nathaniel Lowe will step in as Cincinnati's designated hitter in place of Suarez for the series finale versus Pittsburgh.

Polanco isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Miami, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Polanco will begin Saturday's contest in the dugout after failing to record a hit in 23 at-bats across his last seven games. Bo Bichette will serve as the Mets' designated hitter, opening up third base for Brett Baty.

Ohtani went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and a second run scored in Friday's 9-4 loss to the Red Sox.

Ohtani was held out of the lineup Thursday due to his ongoing bout of left knee inflammation, while continues to keep him from pitching. He's made up for it with plenty of success at the plate lately -- he's 10-for-25 (.400) with two homers, five doubles and seven RBI over his last six games as a hitter. For the season, the superstar is batting .291 with a .939 OPS, 24 homers, 67 RBI, 70 runs scored, 22 doubles, two triples and six stolen bases over 104 contests. Ohtani should continue to be reliable in terms of power and rate stats as long as he can play through the knee issue, but don't expect him to add much in terms of speed while he's less than 100 percent healthy.

Ohtani (knee) will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff Friday against the Red Sox.

Ohtani sat out Thursday's contest to give his inflamed left knee a chance to heal, but he now seems to be feeling well enough to play in Friday's series opener. The two-way star hasn't appeared on the mound since July 3 because of his knee but hasn't been impacted much as a hitter, slashing .265/.326/.518 with five homers, 15 RBI and eight runs scored across 92 plate appearances in July.

Schwarber (illness) is in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Orioles.

After missing the final two games of the series against Miami due to a gastrointestinal issue, Schwarber is back for the Phillies for Friday's series opener against Baltimore. The 33-year-old will act as the designated hitter and bat second for Philadelphia.

Eldridge went 2-for-5 in Thursday's 4-1 win over the Padres.

Eldridge singled in the first inning and added another base hit in the third, marking his first multi-hit performance since July 18. The 21-year-old is batting .213 with 12 runs scored, 10 RBI, five home runs, a stolen base and 15:35 BB:K in 104 plate appearances in July. Overall, he's slashing .253/.353/.451 with 35 runs scored, 26 RBI, 11 long balls and a stolen base across 275 plate appearances this season.

Manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that he expects Ohtani (knee) to return to the lineup as the designated hitter and leadoff batter in Friday's series opener versus the Red Sox, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was held out of the starting nine Thursday while tending to soreness in his inflamed left knee, an injury that initially forced him out of a June 11 game. The two-way phenom hasn't made an appearance as a pitcher since July 3 because of the knee issue and, to a lesser extent, a right biceps injury, is still presenting some lingering discomfort when he gets on the mound. Ohtani has continued to serve as the Dodgers' everyday DH and has been performing well at the plate in spite of the knee issue, producing a .265/.326/.518 slash line with five home runs, 15 RBI and eight runs in 21 July games. However, he hasn't attempted a stolen base in July, and his contributions in the running game could remain limited over the final two months of the season.