MLB Player News

Ohtani (hand) said after leaving his start Thursday versus the Mariners that he's not sure whether he'll need to skip a turn in the rotation, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani was removed as a pitcher after just four innings (59 pitches) after experiencing cramping in his right middle finger. It is something that has lingered over the last week, but he did remain in Thursday's game as the Angels' designated hitter and went 2-for-2 with a solo homer, two walks and two runs scored in what was a 5-3 victory. He tallied four strikeouts in his four scoreless innings on the mound, scattering three hits and one walk.

Ohtani was removed from his start Thursday versus the Mariners due to cramping in his right hand and fingers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani began feeling the cramps in the top of the fourth inning, though he stayed in the game as the Angels' designated hitter and drew a walk in the bottom of that same frame. Then came an intentional walk, a stolen base and a run scored in the bottom of the sixth, followed by his 40th homer of the year in the bottom of the eighth. He also laced a single to right in the bottom of the first, going 2-for-2 with two RBI and two runs at the dish. The two-way superstar finished his pitching duties having scattered three hits and one walk over four scoreless innings. He struck out four.

Martinez (hamstring) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday versus the Padres, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Martinez has missed the Dodgers' entire three-game set against the Athletics due to left hamstring tightness and will also be held out of the lineup for Friday's series opener in San Diego, but he took batting practice Thursday in Los Angeles and also did some on-field running without issue. When healthy this season, the veteran slugger has delivered an .872 OPS with 25 home runs and 75 RBI in 85 games.

Ford remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Angels.

Teoscar Hernandez will serve as the Mariners' designated hitter as they face off against Shohei Ohtani. Cade Marlowe, Julio Rodriguez and Dominic Canzone are starting across the outfield. Ford has posted a solid .817 OPS since joining Seattle in early June, but he's fallen into a deep offensive rut and is hitting just .149 since the All-Star break.

Martinez (hamstring) is out of the lineup again Thursday versus the Athletics.

Martinez has been sidelined since Sunday due to lingering left hamstring tightness, but imaging scans taken this week showed no structural damage, and he is expected to avoid the injured list. Will Smith will take a turn as the Dodgers' designated hitter Thursday as Austin Barnes handles the catching duties.

Buxton (hamstring) remains out of the lineup Thursday at St. Louis.

Buxton was scratched from the Twins' lineup Wednesday due to right hamstring tightness and needs at least one more day of rest and treatment. Jorge Polanco will take a turn at designated hitter Thursday while Kyle Farmer covers third base.

Arizona optioned Lewis to Triple-A Reno on Thursday.

This move frees up a 26-man roster spot for Tommy Pham, who was acquired from the Mets ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline and will officially report to the Diamondbacks ahead of Thursday's series finale in San Francisco. Lewis has batted just .182/.229/.303 in 35 plate appearances this season at the major-league level.

Vogelbach is out of the lineup again Thursday versus the Royals.

Vogelbach sat Wednesday with the Royals throwing a lefty, and he'll remain on the bench Thursday as right-hander Brady Singer readies to toe the slab for Kansas City. Mark Vientos is serving as the Mets' designated hitter and batting sixth.

Jimenez is not in the lineup Thursday at Texas.

Gavin Sheets will fill the DH role for the White Sox and bat seventh versus the Rangers and Max Scherzer. This looks to be a routine day off for Jimenez, who went 1-for-7 with a single and two strikeouts in the first two games of the three-game series.

Stanton went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Rays.

His three-run blast in the third inning off Shane McClanahan (forearm) broke the game open for the Yankees. Stanton continues to be feast or famine at the plate -- he has four multi-hit performances in his last nine starts but only one other hit in the other five, and in 17 contests since the All-Star break he's slashing .203/.278/.500 with six of his 15 homers on the year and 16 of his 39 RBI.