MLB Player News

Choi went 1-for-4 with a bases-loaded hit by pitch and a game-winning two-run home run against the Indians on Monday.

Choi smacked an 0-1 fastball from Brad Hand into the right-field bleachers with Tommy Pham aboard and two outs in the ninth, erasing a 5-4 deficit to send the Rays home winners. The South Korean slugger already has an impressive 10 RBI over eight September games, which have largely come as the result of seven extra-base hits (four doubles, three homers). Factoring in Monday's production, Choi is hitting .346 (9-for-26) thus far in the current month, boosting his AL average 17 points to .285 in the process.

Turner is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Reds, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

It appears to be a rare day off for Turner, who has started 25 consecutive games for the Dodgers, slashing an impressive .374/.470/.707 with seven homers, 20 RBI and an 18:15 K:BB over that stretch. Manny Machado will slide over to the hot corner in this one, allowing Chris Taylor to pick up a start at shortstop.

Ohtani (elbow) met with Angels general manager Billy Eppler on Monday to discuss when the two-way player will undergo Tommy John surgery, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After an MRI last week revealed new damage to the UCL in Ohtani's (right) throwing arm, doctors advised the rookie to go under the knife to address the issue. While it appears that Ohtani plans to heed that advice -- which would prevent him from pitching during the 2019 season -- he's continued to serve as a regular designated hitter for the Angels since receiving the diagnosis. Though Tommy John surgery would likely prevent Ohtani from hitting without restriction for approximately six months, that timetable still puts his status for Opening Day next season in some peril. The longer Ohtani delays the procedure, the less likely it becomes that he'll be ready to go for the start of next season, so expect the Angels to implore the 24-year-old to shut down activity sooner rather than later.

Blackmon went 3-for-3 with a double, walk, two runs and an RBI in Monday's 13-2 victory over the Diamondbacks.

Blackmon has gotten off to a blazing start to September, reaching base at a .452 clip through nine games while providing six extra-base hits and three steals. He'll benefit from three more games at hitter-friendly Coors Field before the Rockies kick off a nine-game road trip Friday that could hinder Blackmon's productivity.

Belt (knee) is starting at first base and hitting second Monday against the Braves, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Belt has been cleared to rejoin the starting lineup after a sore knee limited him to bench duty over the previous two games. The veteran first baseman, who is hitting just .173/.235/.227 across 23 games since returning from the disabled list in mid-August, will face southpaw Sean Newcomb in Monday's series opener.

Pederson sits for the third straight game Monday against yet another lefty in Cody Reed and the Reds.

Pederson has largely been protected against lefties all season, and that trend continues Monday with Chris Taylor starting in left field. The Dodgers currently line up to face seven straight righties starting Tuesday, so expect to see Pederson in the lineup often over the next week.

Blackmon went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs and a double Sunday in the Rockies' 9-6 loss to the Dodgers.

Blackmon has now slugged three long balls over the Rockies' past two games, matching his total from his previous 37 appearances combined. The decline in Blackmon's power production during the second half has put him at risk of missing out on a second straight 30-homer season, but it's his starker downturn in batting average that has instead proved more damaging to fantasy owners that tabbed him in the early rounds of drafts. After hitting .324 and .331 in 2016 and 2017, respectively, Blackmon's average has dropped to .282 this season, his lowest mark since his 2011 debut campaign.

Turner went 4-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, a walk, two RBI and two runs Sunday in the Dodgers' 9-6 win over the Rockies.

After supplying a .280 on-base percentage over his past six games, Turner busted out of the slump in a major way in the series finale, reaching base in five of his six plate appearances. Despite the brief skid, Turner has remained hot for the most part since returning from the 10-day disabled list Aug. 2, supplying a 1.185 OPS and contributing 28 runs and 23 RBI over 33 contests during that stretch.

Martinez went 1-for-4 with a home run and four RBI on Sunday against the Astros.

Martinez launched a three-run homer against Dallas Keuchel in the fifth inning to record his 40th home run of the season. He has now reached the 40-home-run plateau for the second consecutive season and remains one of the premier power hitters in the game.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Rockies, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Pederson will sit for the second straight day with left-hander Tyler Anderson taking the hill for the Rockies. Chris Taylor grabs the start in left field with Enrique Hernandez occupying center field for the series finale.