MLB Player News

Ohtani (elbow) will hit off a pitching machine Friday, Russell Dorsey of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani had said last week that he hopes to return by the end of the month, but that doesn't appear to be the Angels' plan. The team is targeting a return at some point in May.

Vogelbach went 1-for-4 with a walk and a go-ahead solo home run in an extra-inning win over the Royals on Thursday.

Fittingly, it was the team's hottest hitter that ultimately delivered yet another win for the scorching-hot Mariners, as Vogelbach's 427-foot shot to center in the 10th snapped a 6-6 tie and ultimately proved to be the winning run. He now has five of his six home runs on the season in the last five contests, and he's amassed all 11 RBI on his ledger in the last seven.

Soler went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI and two runs scored Thursday against Seattle.

Soler launched a two-run homer to center in the third inning and doubled home a run in the seventh, but the Royals would fall in extra innings, 7-6. The 27-year-old has put on a power display at the dish over his previous two contests, leaving the yard in both games while driving in five runs.

Ozuna is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports.

Ozuna's absence for the series finale is essentially a rest day, even though he continues to play at less than 100 percent health as he works back from offseason shoulder surgery. The shoulder has proven more bothersome for Ozuna while throwing from the outfield, with the 28-year-old struggling to relay balls to the infield with his usual accuracy and velocity. Fortunately for fantasy managers, Ozuna's struggles haven't extended to the offensive end, as he enters Thursday's game with a .262 average to go with three home runs and two steals in 11 contests after a 3-for-4, two-RBI night against the Dodgers on Wednesday.

Carpenter is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Dodgers.

The Cardinals will extend Carpenter his first breather of the season one day after inking him to a two-year contract extension. He'll be one of three regulars resting in the series finale, with Marcell Ozuna and Yadier Molina joining him on the bench.

Winker went 1-for-3 with a walk and a solo home run Wednesday against the Marlins.

Winker delivered the game-winning run with his second homer of the season in the eighth inning. He's gotten starts in each of the two games that Yasiel Puig has been suspended and gone yard in both after starting the season in a prolonged slump. Despite the promising recent performance, Winker may end up back in an outfield rotation, splitting time with Matt Kemp and Scott Schebler now that Puig is eligible to return to the lineup.

Cabrera went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 4-1 win over the Indians.

That's back-to-back two-hit games for Cabrera, who's now riding a five-game hitting streak overall. During the hot stretch, the veteran has raised his batting average from .120 to .286. Cabrera doesn't offer the pop he used to, but he's still a very smart hitter who just might need to settle for more singles as opposed to doubles and home runs these days.

Stanton (biceps) has begun swinging a bat, James Wagner of The New York Times reports.

Stanton is slightly ahead of schedule, as he wasn't originally expected to resume swinging until this weekend. The slugger is trending in the right direction, though he'll likely remain without a timetable for his return until he's further along in his rehab.

Carpenter agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The deal includes a third-year vesting option.

Carpenter was in the final guaranteed year of his contract but will now remain with the Cardinals through the 2021 campaign. The 33-year-old is coming off an impressive 2018 season that saw him slash .257/.374/.523 with 36 homers and 81 RBI in 156 games.

Buxton went 2-for-5 with a pair of doubles and runs and a stolen base in Tuesday's 14-8 victory over the Mets.

Buxton produced one of the Twins' five extra-base knocks against Mets ace Jacob deGrom, who saw his streak of 26 straight quality starts come to an end. The outfielder has done well to cut down on his strikeouts thus far while improving the quality of his contact (career-best 33.3 hard-hit percentage), but it hasn't translated to over-the-fence power yet. All five of his extra-base hits this season have been doubles.