MLB Player News

Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double and a walk in Monday's 4-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Ohtani continues to pummel the ball -- he's knocked four homers during his active six-game hitting streak. The two-way superstar had a chance at the cycle Monday, but struck out in the ninth inning to fall a triple shy of the feat. His homer Monday was his 35th of the campaign, surpassing his total from 157 contests last year in just 93 games this season. He's 11 shy of matching his career high from 2021. Ohtani has maintained a superb .306/.391/.677 slash line with 75 RBI, 68 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 16 doubles and six triples.

Rooker went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Red Sox.

Rooker missed Sunday's game versus the Twins with an illness. While his absence was short, he was unable to be a difference-maker Monday as the Athletics got one-hit by Boston. The outfielder is hitting just .242 in July, right in line with his .241/.335/.470 slash line through 81 contests overall.

Rooker (illness) is starting in left field and batting cleanup Monday versus the Red Sox, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Rooker will be back in the lineup after missing Sunday's 5-4 loss to the Twins while dealing with an illness, but he appears ready to go for Monday's series opener with Boston. The 28-year-old has gone 8-for-29 with three homers, five RBI, four runs scored and a stolen base over nine games in July.

Pederson is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

As usual, the lefty-hitting Pederson will retreat to the bench while the Giants oppose a southpaw (Brandon Williamson) in the series opener in Cincinnati. Michael Conforto will get a day out of the outfield and will replace Pederson as the Giants' designated hitter.

Encarnacion-Strand will start at designated hitter and bat seventh in his major-league debut Monday versus the Giants.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his long-awaited promotion after slashing .331/.405/.637 while clubbing 20 home runs in 316 plate appearances with Triple-A Louisville. He's capable of playing both corner infield spots and has a bit of experience in the outfield, too, but the 23-year-old might be best suited for DH.

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run and a walk in a loss to the Astros on Sunday.

Ohtani extended his MLB homer lead in the ninth inning with a solo shot to center field that brought the Angels to within one run. The two-way star has gone deep three times in his past four contests, driving in five runs over that span. Ohtani has already tied his long ball total from last season and is 12 homers away from the career-high 46 he swatted during his MVP 2021 campaign.

The Reds selected Encarnacion-Strand's contract from Triple-A Louisville on Monday.

Encarnacion-Strand earned his call-up after he had been one of the most productive power hitters in the upper levels of the minors this season, posting 20 home runs and slashing .331/.405/.637 in 316 plate appearances at Louisville. He kept his strikeout rate at any acceptable level (21.8 percent) and also got his feet wet at a few different positions, taking reps in both corner-outfield spots as well as first base and third base. The 23-year-old is still probably best suited for designated-hitter duties, though the versatility he displayed at Triple-A should help him pick up steady playing time in his first taste of the majors. Look for Encarnacion-Strand to be a mainstay in the lineup versus left-handed pitching, though he could be part of a rotation for the final spot in the starting nine versus right-handers while Cincinnati has all of its key hitters available.

Canha went 1-for-2 with a stolen base in Sunday's extra-inning win over the Dodgers.

He also got hit by a pitch. While he's no longer a regular member of the starting nine for the Mets, Canha continues to see a steady trickle of at-bats thanks to his on-base skills, and over his last 20 games he's slashing .225/.385/.375 with one of his six homers and three of his seven steals on the season.

The Reds will promote Encarnacion-Strand from Triple-A Louisville on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Encarnacion-Strand has performed well at Louisville over the first half of the 2023 campaign, slashing .331/.405/.637 with 20 homers, 65 runs, 62 RBI and two stolen bases. The 23-year-old has impressed at every level of the minors and will now have an opportunity to showcase his talents on the big-league stage alongside some of Cincinnati's other top prospects in Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. Encarnacion-Strand has seen some playing time in the outfield recently, and the corner outfield spots could be a path toward playing time if the Reds don't want to take at-bats away from Spencer Steer and Joey Votto. Regardless of Encarnacion-Strand's position, he's in line for regular at-bats with the major-league club as Cincinnati pushes for a playoff spot.

Brantley (shoulder) ran the bases before Sunday's game against the Angels, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley was shut down from baseball activities in early July, so it was encouraging to see him do some baserunning Sunday. Since he's dealing with a shoulder injury, the Astros will presumably want to see him doing some hitting and fielding before he's in the mix to return to game action.