MLB Player News

Choi went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Monday's 6-2 win over Oakland.

Choi's seventh home run of the season gave the Rays a 6-0 lead in the eighth inning after the team hit two-run shots in both the sixth and seventh frames. The 28-year-old lefty has been stellar in June, going 12-for-25 (.480 average) with two long balls and five RBI.

Ohtani isn't in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Dodgers.

Ohtani will get the night off after taking the collar in Sunday's series finale against the Mariners (0-for-4). Kevan Smith slots in as the designated hitter and is slated to bat cleanup in Ohtani's stead.

Pederson (back) is starting in left field and batting leadoff Monday against the Angels, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

Pederson has been cleared to rejoin the lineup for Monday's series opener after sitting out Sunday due to a stiff back. The outfielder, who is slashing .317/.403/.683 with six homers and 13 RBI over his last 20 games, will face rookie right-hander Griffin Canning in his return to action.

Stanton (shoulder) is scheduled to make rehab appearances with High-A Tampa on Tuesday and Wednesday before joining Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Stanton hasn't played a live game since tweaking his calf while making a rehab appearance for his shoulder injury, but manager Aaron Boone said Monday that the slugger will slot in for a pair of games this week for Tampa. Assuming he comes through those appearances with no setbacks, the plan is for Stanton to join the RailRaiders after a Thursday off-day. It's been a long absence for the veteran, so he could require a few games in Triple-A before returning to the big club.

Martinez is back in action Monday against Texas after missing four straight games due to back spasms, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Martinez's latest battle with back spasms was his third of the year, so the Red Sox will count themselves lucky that he avoided a trip to the injured list. He could require more maintenance days in the near future but will bat third and serve as the designated hitter in Monday's contest.

Dickerson was traded from the Padres to the Giants on Monday in exchange for Franklin Van Gurp.

Dickerson will head north after being designated for assignment by the Padres last week. The 29-year-old outfielder will report to Triple-A Sacramento, though given San Francisco's lack of outfield depth, he could eventually get a shot with the big club as a lefty-hitting outfielder. Dickerson struggled across 12 appearances with the Padres before being shipped to the Giants, slashing just .158/.158/.158 in 19 trips to the plate. He fared better with Triple-A El Paso, however, slashing .372/.469/.606 with five homers in 26 games (113 plate appearances).

Harper went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and a run Sunday in the Phillies' 4-3 loss to the Reds.

Perhaps emboldened after nabbing his third stolen base of the season in the third inning, Harper attempted a straight steal of home plate in the bottom of the fifth. Harper, who memorably stole home off Cole Hamels as a rookie in 2012, wasn't successful this time around, as Reds catcher Curt Casali was able to apply the tag before the star outfielder could slide into the plate. The out proved costly in the one-run loss, but Harper's fantasy managers won't complain about him acting aggressively on the basepaths. The 26-year-old isn't quite living up to his premium draft-day price, but he's at least been on an upswing recently with a .347 average, two home runs, 10 RBI and eight runs over his last 12 starts.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Angels on Sunday.

Vogelbach snapped a 12-game long-ball drought with his sixth-inning blast, which served as his 16th of the season overall. Vogelbach continues to bounce back nicely after a forgettable May, as he's gone a solid 8-for-28 (.286) with a double, Sunday's homer, five RBI, seven walks and four runs across nine June contests.

Carpenter went 2-for-5 in a loss to the Cubs on Sunday.

The veteran infielder had gone hitless in four at-bats Saturday in his return from a one-game absence due to a shin injury, but he stepped up with his first multi-hit effort since May 25 on Sunday. Carpenter has now hit safely in seven of his last eight games, and the fact he's raised his average 26 points since May 16 offers some reason for optimism that he might be starting to awaken from his trademark early season doldrums.

Ozuna went 3-for-4 with a run in a loss to the Cubs on Sunday. He was also caught stealing on his only attempt.

It was another moribund night of offense for the Cardinals, but Ozuna's play was a bright spot. The veteran slugger has opened June on a tear a the plate, generating a trio of multi-hit efforts and quickly boosting his average 16 points to .259 with a 10-for-26 showing over the first seven games of the month.