MLB Player News

Ohtani (biceps/knee) is considered day-to-day as he battles a pair of injuries, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani is not in the starting lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Cardinals as he continues to battle through lingering left knee discomfort and an additional right biceps issue. Manager Dave Roberts outlined that the 32-year-old's availability off the bench Thursday and his status for Friday's series opener with the Nationals will depend on further conversations with the team's training staff. Roberts views a stint on the injured list as unlikely but "not impossible." The injuries have also further delayed Ohtani's potential return to the mound, which is now without an official timeline.

Ohtani is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Cardinals due to knee and biceps discomfort.

After Wednesday's 8-6 loss to the Cardinals, manager Dave Roberts made it sound likely that Ohtani could get the day off Thursday, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com. Ohtani appeared to show some physical discomfort in his four-strikeout performance Wednesday as he continues to deal with soreness in his left knee and right biceps. It remains to be seen how many games the superstar may rest until he rejoins the lineup. The lingering injuries also leave him without a clear timeline to resume pitching -- he hasn't taken the mound for the Dodgers since July 3. As for Thursday, Tommy Edman is batting leadoff while Alex Call is starting as the designated hitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts admitted Wednesday that he's uncertain if Ohtani will pitch again this season while the two-way superstar manages left knee and right biceps soreness, Associated Press reports.

Ohtani, who hasn't pitched in a game since July 3, appeared poised to make his return to the mound last Sunday against the Tigers, but he was scratched ahead of a potential start after he didn't feel healthy coming out of a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday. Roberts noted that until Ohtani throws another bullpen session, the Dodgers won't have a good feel for the next step in his pitching progression, with the skipper going as far as saying that using Ohtani exclusively as a designated hitter for the rest of the season is "an option." The Dodgers may soon consider giving Ohtani a day off from hitting as well. After Ohtani went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in Wednesday's 8-6 extra-inning loss to the Cardinals, Roberts said that he plans to meet with the training staff and Ohtani on Thursday as the Dodgers "really try to figure out where he's at physically," per Beth Harris of the Associated Press.

Eldridge went 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBI during San Francisco's 5-4, extra-inning win over Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Eldridge gave the Giants the lead twice during Wednesday's win, the second of which was an RBI double in the 10th frame. He's reached base safely in 11 consecutive games, logging at least one RBI in seven of those contests. During that 11-game streak, Eldridge has gone 16-for-42 (.381) with 12 RBI and four extra-base hits.

Yelich went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, a walk and two runs scored in Tuesday's 9-4 win over the Cubs.

Yelich took Daniel Palencia deep for a two-run homer in the sixth inning, capping Milwaukee's four-run frame. The 34-year-old has begun to heat up at the plate, going 10-for-27 (.370) with five extra-base hits over his last eight games. Despite the recent surge, Yelich's overall production remains underwhelming with a .238/.319/.388 slash line, 10 homers, 22 doubles, two triples, 49 RBI, 57 runs and 11 steals across 98 games.

Morales went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run scored during Washington's 9-5 win over Atlanta on Tuesday.

Morales was promoted from Triple-A Rochester ahead of Tuesday's game, when he served as the designated hitter. He struck out swinging in his first plate appearance in the opening frame, but he bounced back in the third, smacking the second pitch he saw from AJ Smith-Shawver deep to left-center field for a solo home run. It was an impressive big-league debut for Morales, who figures to see a fair amount of playing time the rest of this season at DH and at first and third base.

The Cubs selected Murray's contract from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.

Murray has put together a fine season at Iowa, slashing .294/.395/.500 with 16 home runs, nine stolen bases and a 69:110 BB:K over 118 games. He's primarily a corner infielder but can handle left field as well. Murray is starting at designated hitter and batting eighth Tuesday versus the Brewers in his major-league debut.

The Nationals selected Morales' contract from Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday.

Morales earned a promotion to the big leagues by collecting a .286/.363/.519 batting line with 25 home runs and a 43:111 BB:K over 104 contests this season with Rochester. The 24-year-old has split his time between first and third base this season, and he should see fairly regular playing time down the stretch between those two positions and designated hitter.

Suarez won't be available Tuesday and Wednesday for the remaining two games of the Reds' series versus the Padres in order to take the U.S. naturalization test, Theo DeRosa of MLB.com reports.

After signing with the Tigers in 2008 as an international free agent out of Venezuela and kicking off a 13-year MLB career in 2014, Suarez is now looking to make the United States his permanent home. He'll complete an interview and take a written English language exam and an oral civics test over the next two days as he looks to obtain citizenship. Following the Reds' off day Thursday, Suarez will likely make his return to the lineup in Friday's series opener versus the Brewers.

Herrera went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Pirates.

Herrera was on the front end of a double steal during the seventh inning after his RBI double against Camilo Doval. While speed isn't a huge part of Herrera's game, he's up to eight steals this season, though this one was his first since Aug. 3. The 26-year-old hit .241 in August, which is right in line with his .243 average for the season. Herrera has added a .733 OPS, 14 home runs, 55 RBI, 82 runs scored, 24 doubles and one triple across 137 contests.