MLB Player News

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that Ohtani (bicep) is feeling "considerably better" and could be back in the lineup Sunday, and Roberts didn't rule Ohtani out of being available off the bench Saturday, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani isn't in the lineup Saturday after reporting some discomfort in his right bicep Friday. However, there hasn't been any indication that the injury is serious, and Roberts' words Saturday further suggest that it's just a minor issue. Andy Pages is getting a turn at DH with Ohtani sidelined Saturday.

Bell went 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs and three RBI in Saturday's 11-4 win over the Yankees.

The veteran DH led the charge in an 11-hit, six-homer barrage by the Twins, as Bell launched a solo shot off Ryan Yarbrough in the seventh inning and a two-run blast in the eighth off Camilo Doval. The 10 total bases were a season high, continuing a power surge that has seen Bell go yard four times in the last five games. Over his last 24 contests, he's batting .307 (27-for-88) with 15 extra-base hits including eight home runs, along with 15 runs and 26 RBI.

Ohtani (bicep) isn't in the lineup Saturday versus San Diego.

Ohtani was removed from Friday's matchup after completing six frames as a pitcher and after taking an at-bat as the DH in the bottom of the sixth inning. The superstar slugger said he felt something in his right bicep but suggested that the issue is probably minor. Nonetheless, manager Dave Roberts indicated after Friday's contest that Ohtani wouldn't play Saturday as a precaution, and the two-way star is indeed out of the lineup. In his stead, Andy Pages is getting a day off his feet and serving as Los Angeles' DH. It remains to be seen if Ohtani will be back in the lineup Sunday.

Smith isn't starting for Atlanta versus the Mets on Saturday.

The lefty-hitting Smith doesn't usually start against southpaw pitchers, and that's the case Saturday as lefty Sean Manaea is on the mound for the Mets. With Smith beginning on the bench, Drake Baldwin is getting a DH day while Joey Bart takes a turn behind the plate.

The Athletics optioned Meneses to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.

With Zack Gelof (hand) being reinstated from the 10-day IL and Brian Serven's contract being selected from Las Vegas, the Athletics will match those moves by sending both Meneses and Darell Hernaiz down to Triple-A. Meneses was promoted to the majors June 21 and went 2-for-14 (.143) with two RBI and three walks across seven games. He'll see far more playing time in Triple-A, where he is slashing .348/.401/.539 with 11 home runs and 76 RBI across 317 plate appearances.

Diaz is not in the Rays' starting lineup against the Astros on Saturday.

Diaz will get a breather after going 1-for-12 with two walks over his last three games. Jonathan Aranda will serve as the Rays' designated hitter Saturday while Ryan Vilade draws the start at first base.

The Blue Jays transferred Springer (personal) from the paternity list to the family medical emergency list Saturday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Springer's time on the paternity list was set to expire Saturday, but the move to the family medical emergency list will allow him to spend additional time away from the team without having to be added back to the 26-man active roster. The Blue Jays aren't expecting Springer to miss much further action, as Mae relays that he's expected to rejoin the Blue Jays for their series in San Francisco during the upcoming week. Vladimir Guerrero and Sean Keys will likely share designated-hitter duties while Springer remains away.

Tena went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's win over the Pirates.

Getting the start at DH and batting third, Tena took Mitch Keller deep in the third inning for his fourth homer of the year. Tena has mainly been an option off the bench against right-handed pitching of late, amassing just 49 plate appearances since the beginning of June with a .222/.286/.378 slash line, one homer, two steals, five runs and five RBI.

Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's win over the Angels.

Gonzalez smacked his first triple of the season in the second inning, and he later delivered a bases-loaded, two-run single in the top of the third, scoring Wilyer Abreu and Willson Contreras. Gonzalez underwent shoulder surgery in March and didn't make his season debut until June 28. He's gone 5-for-15 at the plate since then.

Ohtani was removed from Friday's game against the Padres due to a bicep injury, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani said after the game that he became concerned about his bicep after his final at-bat in the sixth inning, but he noted that what he felt was similar to an injury he dealt with a couple of months ago that subsided relatively quickly. Although his injury is believed to be minor, manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will not play Saturday as a precaution, per Harris. The two-way star gave up three earned runs on seven hits and two walks in six innings on the mound Friday and went 0-for-3 as a hitter.