MLB Player News

Astros manager Joe Espada told reporters that Alvarez is not in the starting lineup against the Rays on Friday due to a right ankle injury, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

It's not clear when Alvarez tweaked his ankle, though it could be part of the reason why his production at the plate in September has taken a dip (7-for-33 across nine games). He'll take batting practice and do some work before Friday's game in the hope that he's available off the bench, and he could be back in the lineup for Saturday's contest. Jose Altuve will serve as Houston's designated hitter for the series opener in Tampa Bay.

Alvarez is not in the Astros' starting lineup against the Rays on Friday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez is already up to a career-high 637 plate appearances on the season and has gone 7-for-33 (.212) with one home run, two RBI and 10 strikeouts in September. He'll get a rest day for Friday's series opener, with Jose Altuve serving as the designated hitter and Nick Allen drawing the start at second base.

Nootbaar is absent from the Diamondbacks' lineup Friday against the Rangers.

As the Rangers trot out southpaw MacKenzie Gore, the left-handed-hitting Nootbaar will ride the bench for Friday's series opener. Lourdes Gurriel will slot in as Arizona's designated hitter and bat seventh.

Springer (shoulder) will start at designated hitter and bat second in Friday's contest against the Orioles.

Springer has been slowed this week by a nagging left shoulder issue, but he appeared off the bench in the Blue Jays' last game Wednesday and is back in the lineup for the series opener versus Baltimore.

Pederson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in a loss to the Mariners on Thursday.

Pederson opened the scoring in the contest with a two-run blast off Logan Gilbert in the third inning. That was his lone hit of the game, and Pederson has now gone 39 contests since his last multi-hit effort. Still, he's continued to provide power when in the lineup -- Pederson has gone just 15-for-88 (.170 batting average) during the aforementioned 39-game stretch, but seven of those hits have left the park. With 26 long balls overall on the campaign, Pederson has tied the second highest single-season mark of his career.

Springer (shoulder) pinch hit for Nathan Lukes and flew out in the eighth inning of Wednesday's loss to the A's.

The 36-year-old outfielder has been held out of the starting nine the last two games due to a left shoulder issue, but Wednesday's usage is a good sign the Blue Jays don't think he'll need an IL stint. Springer has had a tough season overall due to various injuries, but over the 14 games prior to his shutdown he'd delivered a .333/.370/.569 slash line with six doubles, two homers, two steals, eight runs and eight RBI.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Wednesday's 14-1 win over the Reds that Ohtani (knee/biceps) will be placed on the 15-day injured list, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani returned to the lineup Monday following a four-game absence, but he felt more discomfort this week and will now be forced to the shelf due to his nagging knee and biceps injuries. As a two-way player, he will have to be placed on the 15-day IL as opposed to the 10-day IL, per MLB rules. The Dodgers will bring up top prospect Josue De Paula to take on the lion's share of the reps at designated hitter while Ohtani is out.

Schwarber went 1-for-5 with a grand slam in Wednesday's 11-8 win over the Astros.

Schwarber extended his hitting streak to five games Wednesday, tallying his most RBI since Aug. 9. Additionally, the star slugger has now gone yard four times during that streak. He's batting .242 with a major-league-leading 44 homers, 17 doubles, 90 walks and 88 runs scored over 525 at-bats.

Yelich went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-6 win over the Cubs.

Yelich has two homers over nine contests in September, and they've both come against the Cubs. The 34-year-old went deep off Kevin Gausman in the first inning of Wednesday's contest, giving the Brewers a hot start. Yelich is now batting .241 with a .712 OPS, 11 homers, 53 RBI, 62 runs scored, 23 doubles, two triples and 11 stolen bases over 106 contests on the year.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Wednesday that a stint on the injured list is "on the table" for Ohtani (biceps/knee/neck), Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ohtani is working through biceps, knee and neck injuries, and his absence from Wednesday's lineup against the Reds will mark his sixth missed game over the Dodgers' last seven contests. He didn't feel great after a swing during Monday's game against Cincinnati, and the Dodgers may have no choice but to place Ohtani on the injured list and hope that an extended absence will have him in shape for the postseason. Thursday's off day will give both the Dodgers and Ohtani the opportunity to work through some things and determine next steps.