MLB Player News

Ohtani went 0-for-4 with a walk, a run and an RBI in Tuesday's extra-inning loss to the Padres.

Though Ohtani was hitless for a second straight game, he managed to swipe a bag for the fourth consecutive contest. He's already reached a career-high mark with 28 steals on the season and not only should easily reach 30 thefts for the first time but has a legitimate chance to get to 40. With 32 homers on the campaign, Ohtani is threatening to record the sixth 40-40 season in MLB history.

Stanton is starting at DH and batting fourth Wednesday versus Philadelphia.

Stanton was activated off the injured list Monday and started at DH before beginning Tuesday's game on the bench. The slugger is back starting Wednesday, and he's in a prime position in the order, batting cleanup between Aaron Judge and the newly acquired Jazz Chisholm, who's hit four homers in his past two games. That could give Stanton ample run-producing and run-scoring opportunities, though he's gone hitless in five at-bats since his return.

Vargas will start in left field and bat second in Wednesday's game versus the Royals.

The presumption was that Vargas would return to playing the infield after landing with the White Sox in a trade. However, after making his debut with his new club at designated hitter on Tuesday, he's now being used in the outfield. Vargas could still wind up playing a lot of third base and/or second base, but on Wednesday, the White Sox will have Nick Senzel cover the hot corner and Lenyn Sosa man the keystone.

Vargas went 0-for-4 in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Royals.

Vargas made his debut with the White Sox after being traded from the Dodgers on Monday. He served as the designated hitter and hit second in the lineup. The White Sox could eventually have Vargas see time at third base, second base or in the corner outfield, and the final two months of the campaign should offer him the opportunity for his most consistent playing time in the majors.

Pham went 1-for-2 with a grand slam in Tuesday's 8-1 win over the Rangers.

Pinch hitting for Matt Carpenter in the fifth inning against southpaw Cody Bradford, Pham made an immediate impact in his first action as a Cardinal since 2018, ripping a changeup up in the zone over the right-center field fence to break open the game. The 36-year-old outfielder made his big-league debut for St. Louis in 2014 and was repatriated at the trade deadline this year from the White Sox, with whom he'd compiled a .266/.330/.380 slash line with five homers and six steals in 70 games. He's expected to handle a short-side platoon role for the Cards, but with Brendan Donovan batting .128 (5-for-39) over his last 10 games, the door could be open for Pham to hit his way into a bigger role in the outfield.

Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said Tuesday that Soler will serve as the team's primary leadoff hitter, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.

Soler took off after the Giants moved him to the leadoff spot, posting a .911 OPS over his last 24 games before being dealt to Atlanta on Monday. The 32-year-old also occasionally hit leadoff for Atlanta during the team's run to a 2021 World Series title. With Soler at the top of the batting order, Jarred Kelenic will slide down to the back half of the lineup.

The Orioles acquired Soto and outfielder Austin Slater from the Reds on Tuesday in exchange for cash, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Soto was designated for assignment earlier in the day by the Reds, but the Orioles -- who claimed Soto on April 11 only to DFA him five days later -- swooped in and got him at the deadline. Given that Soto has minor-league options remaining, he will likely stick with Triple-A Norfolk for the time being.

The Orioles acquired Jimenez from the White Sox on Tuesday for left-hander Trey McGough, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Jimenez has a .240/.297/.345 slash line in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and Chicago was finally able to offload what little remains of that deal. He also has a $16.5 million club option with a $3 million buyout for 2025. Jimenez won't significantly move the needle for the Orioles, but he could see some starts against left-handed pitching since primary designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn typically starts versus righties.

Pederson isn't in the Diamondbacks' lineup versus the Nationals on Tuesday.

With the Nationals sending southpaw Patrick Corbin to the mound Tuesday, Pederson will take a seat to begin the game. Randal Grichuk will start as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

The Marlins traded De La Cruz to the Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for Jun-Seok Shim and Garret Forrester, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

De La Cruz will join Tanner Scott, Josh Bell, Trevor Rogers and Jazz Chisholm on the list of players that have departed Miami ahead of the trade deadline. The 27-year-old De La Cruz has slashed .245/.289/.417 through 453 plate appearances on the year and figures to remain in an everyday role upon joining the Pirates' outfield unit.