MLB Player News

Ozuna isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Ozuna will retreat to the bench Thursday after going just 2-for-13 with an RBI and six strikeouts through the first three games of the series. Bryan Reynolds will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter in Ozuna's stead, opening up left field for Jhostynxon Garcia.

Ohtani (5-2) allowed one run on zero hits, four walks and a hit batsman while striking out seven over six innings to earn the win Wednesday over the Rockies. He also went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in the 4-1 victory.

Ohtani was actually a little shaky with his command, throwing just 56 of 99 pitches for strikes. The Rockies were able to take advantage for one run in the fourth inning but ultimately didn't get a hit off the two-way superstar. Ohtani may have been bothered a bit by the hit-by-pitch he suffered Tuesday, though it wasn't enough to cause him to be scratched from the lineup or his start. On the mound this season, he continues an elite campaign that has seen him pitch to a 0.82 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 61:17 K:BB over 55 innings through nine starts, including just three runs allowed on 11 hits, eight walks and two hit batsmen over 25 innings in May. He's also 18-for-47 (.383) with three homers and 14 RBI over his last 13 contests, and he's up to a .269/.400/.482 slash line with nine homers, 30 RBI, 36 runs scored and six stolen bases over 55 games. Ohtani's next pitching start is projected to be at Arizona.

Soto went 2-for-3 with a solo home run during the Mets' 4-2 win against the Reds on Wednesday.

Soto started the game batting third and launched a homer to right in his first plate appearance against Andrew Abbott in the first inning. The blast marked Soto's 12th home run of the season and sixth in his past eight games. The All-Star is now slashing .301/.392/.594 over 39 games played after his recent hot streak.

Ohtani is in the lineup at DH for Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani was uncertain to work as both a pitcher and hitter leading up to Wednesday's contest, especially after he got hit on the hand by a pitch Tuesday, but manager Dave Roberts confirmed before the game that the 31-year-old superstar would get a chance to show off his two-way skills. With a .270/.403/.471 slash line through 236 plate appearances, Ohtani has had a down year offensively by his standards, but he's made up for it on the mound by posting a ridiculous 0.73 ERA and 0.84 WHIP alongside a 54:13 K:BB through 49 innings.

Ballesteros will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Pirates.

Just when he appeared to have ceded primary DH duties to Michael Conforto, Ballesteros has re-emerged to take back playing time at that spot in the lineup. Ballesteros will be awarded a fifth consecutive start after going 2-for-9 with a 5:3 BB:K and a run scored over the previous four contests. The Cubs will still look to shield Ballesteros from left-handed pitching, but he could continue to see the bulk of the starts at DH versus righties if he can continue to get on base at a steady clip.

Melendez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The left-handed-hitting Melendez will take a seat for the second time in the series while the Reds send another lefty (Andrew Abbott) to the bump. Eric Wagaman will step in for Melendez as the Mets' designated hitter and will bat seventh.

Eldridge went 1-for-4 with a double in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to Arizona.

Eldridge lined a double to right field in the second inning, marking his second two-bagger of the season. The 21-year-old struggled upon being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, though he's been trending upward of late. He's recorded at least one hit in four of his last six games, slashing .286/.348/.381 with an RBI and a run scored across 23 plate appearances during that span.

Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani is on track make a start as a pitcher Wednesday against the Rockies at Dodger Stadium, but the Dodgers haven't decided if Ohtani will hit during the game, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

While serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter in Tuesday's 15-6 win, Ohtani went 0-for-2 with a hit-by-pitch and a run scored. After being struck on his right (pitching) hand during his plate appearance in the bottom of the fourth, Ohtani took his base but was removed from the contest the next time his turn in the batting order came up in the fifth. The Dodgers already held a nine-run lead at that point, and Roberts said afterward that Ohtani was merely removed as a precaution. Even so, while Ohtani shouldn't face any limitations with his workload as a pitcher, the Dodgers could still look to give him a break from hitting Wednesday. Ohtani has been included in the lineup for four of his first eight starts as a pitcher this season.

Schmitt went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Tuesday's 7-5 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Schmitt made his impact early, going yard in the first inning and adding an RBI single in the third. Those were the only two runs the Giants produced against Arizona starter Eduardo Rodriguez. Schmitt has been an engine for run production lately, racking up six homers and 13 RBI over his last 10 games. He's now batting .298 with a .906 OPS, 12 long balls, 31 RBI, 26 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple and three stolen bases over 47 contests. Schmitt has the ability to move around the diamond, but he has a clearer path to playing time in left field while Heliot Ramos (quadriceps) is on the mend. Schmitt has also seen time at first base, second base and designated hitter over the last week.

Del Castillo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Giants.

Del Castillo hadn't gone yard since May 3 versus the Cubs. He hit a meager .136 over 16 games during the power drought, adding just six RBI and a 6:16 BB:K before his long ball Tuesday. For the season, the 26-year-old is hitting .191 with a .586 OPS, four homers, 19 RBI, eight runs scored and four doubles across 120 plate appearances. Del Castillo continues to play regularly versus right-handed pitchers, splitting his time between designated hitter and catcher, though he's done nothing to challenge for a spot higher in the order.