MLB Player News

Flores went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Monday's 9-5 loss to Atlanta.

The 33-year-old first baseman got the starting nod against right-hander Bryce Elder and lined a double to right field in the second inning before coming around to score. Flores later added a single in the fourth, marking his third multi-hit effort over his last seven games. During that span, he's slashed .320/.370/.360 with two runs scored and one double across 27 plate appearances.

Ohtani allowed one run on four hits and a walk while striking out three over three innings in a no-decision versus the Twins on Monday. He also went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run as a batter in the contest.

Ohtani completed three innings on the mound as originally scheduled, and he helped himself out with early run support by going yard in the bottom of the first inning after allowing a leadoff blast to Byron Buxton in the top of the frame. While Ohtani gave up a run for the first time since his season debut June 16 versus the Padres, this was another positive outing for the two-way superstar, who has a 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB over 12 innings through six starts. He stretched out to 46 pitches (30 strikes) Monday, up from 36 pitches in his previous start July 12. He's also up to 35 homers, 67 RBI, 94 runs scored, 13 stolen bases and a .275/.379/.614 slash line over 99 contests as a batter. The Dodgers have not yet announced when Ohtani's next start will be, but it is expected to be on the road, either at Boston this weekend or in Cincinnati early next week.

Bell went 2-for-5 with a walk, double and a solo home run during Monday's 10-8 win over the Reds.

Bell went deep for the first time in July, and 12th time this season, to start a three-run third inning for the Nationals. Combined with his double, it's the sixth time that the 32-year-old has had multiple hits in a game this July, despite not having a home run. Regardless, it's been a great slashing month for the slugger so far, featuring season-high's across the board of .356/.442/.444 to go along with five doubles and six RBI.

Yelich went 2-for-4 with one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 6-0 win over the Mariners.

Yelich has hit safely in eight of his last 10 games, going 10-for-37 (.270) with two home runs and three steals in that span. The 33-year-old doesn't run as much as he used to, but he's still managed to log 15 thefts over 94 contests this season. He's added a .261/.338/.452 slash line, 19 homers, 66 RBI and 51 runs scored through 399 plate appearances.

Del Castillo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.

After getting recalled from Triple-A Reno on Friday, Del Castillo started at designated hitter in each of the Diamondbacks' first three games out of the All-Star break, going 5-for-12 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Though he'll check out of the starting nine in Monday's series opener, Del Castillo could hold down a regular spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching until Pavin Smith (oblique) returns from the injured list.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Monday that he expects Marte (knee) to be activated from the 10-day injured list later this week, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Marte will need a few more days to recover from a right knee bruise, but he will bypass a rehab assignment and appears likely to be back when the Mets begin a road trip this weekend. Upon his return, Marte will see some playing time in the designated hitter slot, with perhaps most of it coming against left-handed pitching.

Brooks is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

The left-handed-hitting Brooks was on the bench for the final two games of the Padres' series in Washington over the weekend while the Nationals sent lefties to the hill, but he'll be absent from the lineup Monday versus Marlins righty Eury Perez. Since getting called up from Triple-A El Paso on June 15, Brooks is slashing just .158/.200/.289 over 40 plate appearances, and he could soon be at risk of losing his roster spot.

Marte (knee) is taking batting practice, and the Mets still anticipate that he'll return from the injured list before the end of July, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

The 36-year-old hasn't recovered from a knee bruise quite as quickly as the team had hoped, but Marte isn't expected to miss too much more time. Through 188 plate appearances on the season, he's slashing .270/.353/.387 with four homers, five steals, 20 RBI and 22 runs.

Ozuna said after Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Yankees that he's no longer bothered by the sore hip that was affecting his performance earlier in the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. "It was my hip earlier this season, but now I feel fantastic," Ozuna said. "I just lost my confidence at the plate. I just lost my timing, and that's what I've been battling. As soon as I get my timing back, everything's coming like last year and the year before."

The veteran slugger has lost his regular spot in the starting lineup while Atlanta has been using either Sean Murphy or Drake Baldwin at designated hitter on their non-catching days, and Ozuna's .139/.262/.333 slash line through 42 plate appearances in July, including an 0-for-4 effort Sunday, doesn't make much of a case for him to regain his job. He also acknowledged the trade rumors surrounding him as the team's playoff odds continue to shrink, but Ozuna didn't give any hint as to whether he would use his 10-and-5 rights to veto a potential deal. Until he shows signs of life at the plate, Ozuna's fantasy value and value as a trade asset will both be low.

Smith (oblique) was recently cleared to resume taking dry swings, MLB.com reports.

Smith is a little more than two weeks removed from landing on the 10-day injured list due to a right oblique strain and is at the beginning stages of a hitting progression. A timetable for Smith's return to the Diamondbacks' active roster should be available soon as he reaches the point that he's facing live pitching.