MLB Player News

Ohtani is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The Angels have made it clear that Ohtani won't hit the day before or after he pitches, though he was expected to be in the lineup on most other days. Tuesday appears to be an exception, possibly because the Angels face the left-handed Martin Perez. Ohtani also sat against a lefty in the second game of the season, the only other time the Angels have faced a southpaw. They'll face another lefty Wednesday in Matt Moore, so if Ohtani sits again, he'll miss out on the chance to test his power at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park.

Winker (illness) is leading off and playing right field Tuesday against the Phillies.

Winker was held out of the starting nine Monday due to an illness, but he wound up making a pitch-hit appearance in the contest. It seems like the day off was what he needed to get back to 100 percent, so he'll resume his expanded role in the Reds' outfield while Scott Schebler (elbow) is sidelined.

Jimenez (pectoral) went 0-for-4 in an extended spring training game against the Reds on Monday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez continues to progress on schedule as he works his way back from a strained left pectoral muscle. The 21-year-old will continue to get at-bats in extended spring training games until he's able to play without restriction, at which point he'll report to Double-A Birmingham.

Ozuna went 2-for-5 with a two-run single and a double in a 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Brewers on Monday.

Ozuna's torrid April continues, as he's now hit safely in all eight games of the month, with four of those outings of the multi-hit variety. Surprisingly, the overwhelming majority of his hits have been singles, with only three going for extra bases (a pair of doubles and a home run). Nevertheless, given Ozuna's past body of work and the fact he's clearly seeing the ball well in the early going, the more impactful hits figure to come sooner rather than later.

Cespedes went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Monday's 4-2 win over the Marlins, and manager Mickey Callaway acknowledged after the game that the outfielder has been playing through flu-like symptoms, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports. "He feels good enough to play," Callaway said. "He wasn't hesitating ... so he's going to go out there and play."

Cespedes has still been contributing despite being less than 100 percent -- he drove in the winning run in the 12th inning Sunday with a single, and threw out Braxton Lee at second base Monday when the speedy Marlin tried to stretch a single into a double. However, he's now 1-for-15 over the last three games with eight strikeouts, and in fact he's struck out multiple times in five straight contests. DFS players will want to consider shying away from Cespedes until he shows he's shaken off this bug.

Manager Kevin Cash is optimistic that Miller (groin) won't remain on the disabled list longer than the minimum 10 days, Bill Chastain of MLB.com reports. "I do think it's different than the injury he sustained in spring training," Cash said. "It's more of your traditional groin strain. But we're not going to risk him to where he can tear something."

Miller strained his groin during a Sunday loss to the Red Sox, and the initial prognosis was a bit murky in terms of a recovery timetable. Cash's comments certainly provide reason for optimism, and the coming days will naturally offer a more definitive sense of whether a return to action for Miller after a 10-day timeframe remains realistic.

Blackmon (back) will return to the lineup Monday against the Padres, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Blackmon was removed from Saturday's contest due to a sore back, but he'll ultimately miss just one game as a result of the injury. He's tabbed to bat leadoff and play center field as usual in his return to action.

Winker is absent from the lineup Monday due to an illness, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic Cincinnati reports.

It seemed strange that Winker would sit out given that a right-hander is throwing for Philadelphia and that Scott Schebler (elbow) is on the disabled list, but it appears that the sickness is to blame. The outfield prospect will likely need just a day or two to rest up before returning to the lineup, so consider him day-to-day for now. Phillip Ervin will move into the starting nine to replace him.

Vogelbach is starting at first base and batting sixth Monday against the Royals, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

With Ryon Healy (ankle) heading to the disabled list Monday, Vogelbach should see the bulk of opportunities at first base until Healy is healthy. The 25-year-old prospect has appeared in five games so far this season, going 4-for-15 with a walk and a pair of RBI.

Winker is not in the lineup Monday against the Phillies.

Winker projects to play nearly every day for the next week now that Scott Schebler (elbow) is on the disabled list, but the outfield prospect will take a seat for his first off-day since April 1. Phillip Ervin will take over in right field to replace him.