MLB Player News

Conforto went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 9-1 win over the Reds.

Getting a chance to serve as the DH Sunday, Conforto took Cincinnati reliever Carson Spiers deep in the fifth inning for his 15th home run of the season. That's an impressive total for the veteran outfielder, who has largely served as a reserve for the Cubs this year and has has seen 253 at-bats across 108 games, down from 418 at-bats in 138 games for the Dodgers last regular season. Conforto should be a key bench option for Chicago in the postseason as an experienced hitter who's capable of delivering in big spots.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that there's a "good chance" Ohtani (knee/biceps) will be activated from the 15-day injured list during next week's series against the Padres, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani ran the bases on the field prior to Saturday's game and also advanced to taking simulated at-bats against the team's Trajekt machine. The Dodgers are seemingly pleased with Ohtani's progress, enough so that he's penciled in to return during the homestand. If Ohtani is activated Wednesday when first eligible, he could make starts at designated hitter in as many as five games before the end of the regular season. Both Ohtani and Roberts have seemingly ruled out the possibility of the two-way player pitching at any point during the postseason, however.

Eldridge (head) is in concussion protocol and won't play Sunday against the Dodgers, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

The rookie first baseman/DH reportedly bumped his head at the team hotel, resulting in a laceration and evidently concussion symptoms. He will need to clear protocol in order to play again this year. Eldridge has been a bright spot in a mostly gloomy season for San Francisco, hitting 17 homers with an .825 OPS across 448 plate appearances.

Ohtani (knee/biceps) progressed to taking simulated at-bats off the Dodgers' Trajekt machine Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani ran the bases on the field Saturday and is also taking simulated at-bats as he gears up for a potential return during the final week of the regular season. It's uncertain whether he will return Wednesday against San Diego when first eligible, but hitting coach Aaron Bates said that Ohtani has looked noticeably less compromised when swinging at full intensity than he did before landing on the 15-day IL.

Ohtani (knee/biceps) did some baserunning during the Dodgers' on-field batting practice Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

This marks the first time Ohtani has worked out on the field in front of the media since he went on the 15-day injured list last week. His stint was backdated to Sept. 8, meaning the Japanese slugger is eligible to return this coming Wednesday, though it's uncertain if he will be ready by then. Ohtani figures to push to play in at least a few more regular-season games as a final tuneup before the playoffs.

Eldridge (head) is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Eldridge was scratched from the lineup Friday with a head laceration suffered when he bumped his head at the team hotel, per Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News. While manager Tony Vitello said that he expected Eldridge to play Saturday, the rookie slugger will remain on the bench for at least one more game. Victor Bericoto will serve as the designated hitter while Brett Harris mans first base against left-hander Tarik Skubal.

Ramirez went 3-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Padres.

Ramirez took Nick Pivetta deep in the third inning to open the scoring. While Ramirez has three homers over 12 games in September, he's struggled with consistency, going just 7-for-35 (.200) at the dish even with Friday's big performance. He's batting .231 with a .681 OPS, five homers, 22 RBI, 28 runs scored, nine doubles, one triple and four stolen bases across 64 contests this season.

Eldridge was scratched from the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers due to a head laceration, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Eldridge has posted a .948 OPS with 14 RBI and seven runs scored over 15 games since the beginning of September, but the Giants will be without his services during Friday's series opener. Brett Harris will fill in at first base and bat seventh.

Yelich is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Pirates.

Yelich will get a break for the matinee contest after he started in each of Milwaukee's prior four games. Gary Sanchez will step in for Yelich as Milwaukee's designated hitter and will bat fifth.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Ohtani (biceps/knee) has progressed to hitting off coaches, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani has been easing back into a hitting progression after landing on the 15-day injured list last week with biceps and knee injuries. He is eligible for activation Sept. 23, and he could be back on that date or shortly after to get a few regular-season games under his belt before the playoffs.