MLB Player News

Ohtani (bicep) isn't in the lineup Saturday versus San Diego.

Ohtani was removed from Friday's matchup after completing six frames as a pitcher and after taking an at-bat as the DH in the bottom of the sixth inning. The superstar slugger said he felt something in his right bicep but suggested that the issue is probably minor. Nonetheless, manager Dave Roberts indicated after Friday's contest that Ohtani wouldn't play Saturday as a precaution, and the two-way star is indeed out of the lineup. In his stead, Andy Pages is getting a day off his feet and serving as Los Angeles' DH. It remains to be seen if Ohtani will be back in the lineup Sunday.

Smith isn't starting for Atlanta versus the Mets on Saturday.

The lefty-hitting Smith doesn't usually start against southpaw pitchers, and that's the case Saturday as lefty Sean Manaea is on the mound for the Mets. With Smith beginning on the bench, Drake Baldwin is getting a DH day while Joey Bart takes a turn behind the plate.

Tena went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Pirates.

Getting the start at DH and batting third, Tena took Mitch Keller deep in the third inning for his fourth homer of the year. Tena has mainly been an option off the bench against right-handed pitching of late, amassing just 49 plate appearances since the beginning of June with a .222/.286/.378 slash line, one homer, two steals, five runs and five RBI.

Ohtani was removed from Friday's game against the Padres due to a bicep injury, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani said after the game that he became concerned about his bicep after his final at-bat in the sixth inning, but he noted that what he felt was similar to an injury he dealt with a couple of months ago that subsided relatively quickly. Although his injury is believed to be minor, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will not play Saturday as a precaution, per Harris. The two-way star gave up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings on the mound Friday and went 0-for-3 as a hitter.

Herrera went 3-for-4 with a walk, three runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 17-1 win over the Cubs.

All three hits were singles, but Herrera was still in the thick of the offensive eruption by the Cardinals. It was the first multi-hit effort for the 26-year-old catcher/designated hitter since June 21, snapping a nine-game skid that had seen him bat just .129 (4-for-31) with one double and one RBI. Despite the brief swoon, Herrera sports a respectable .258/.396/.406 slash line on the season with 10 homers, five steals, 38 RBI and 58 runs in 85 contests.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a double, a run scored and three RBI in Thursday's loss to the Cardinals.

The 31-year-old journeyman came to the plate with the bases loaded in the first inning and cleared them with a comebacker that deflected off Dustin May's ankle and went into shallow right field. Smith continues to see consistent playing time at DH against right-handed pitchers, but he's gone 19 straight games without a home run, managing just a .196/.259/.235 slash line over that stretch with two doubles and seven RBI. His declining production could prompt Atlanta to look for a more reliable left-handed power source at the trade deadline.

Atlanta signed McCutchen to a minor-league contract Thursday.

McCutchen was released by the Rangers in late May after slashing just .192/.277/.260 across 37 games. The 39-year-old has been assigned to the Florida Complex League for the time being but should report to Triple-A Gwinnett once he's shaken off some rust. McCutchen could eventually get an opportunity in Atlanta as a short-side platoon bat.

Yelich is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Cincinnati.

As left-hander Andrew Abbott takes the mound for the Reds, Milwaukee will give Yelich his second rest of the series. William Contreras will take over as the designated hitter and bat third in the third game of a four-game set.

Andujar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Cubs.

Andujar started each of the last four games -- twice against lefties, twice against righties -- and went 6-for-14 with two doubles, one walk and one run. He should remain a regular presence in the lineup versus southpaws, but Andujar may have to settle for a part-time role against righties while the Padres seem to be prioritizing Ty France over him for the final spot in the everyday lineup.

Ohtani's scheduled start Wednesday versus the Athletics has been pushed to Friday against the Padres.

Instead of Ohtani pitching Wednesday versus the Athletics, it will be a bullpen game, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. The Dodgers now have their superstar slated to pitch against a division rival Friday, and Ohtani is expected to pitch against another one June 10 versus the Diamondbacks. Those two starts will likely be his last two before the All-Star break.