MLB Player News

Ohtani (oblique) cleared out his locker in the Angels' clubhouse Friday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

The team did not provide an explanation following Friday's game, saying that it would provide information regarding Ohtani's status Saturday. Ohtani, who's facing an elbow procedure in the offseason, missed his 11th straight game Friday due to a right oblique injury. He worked out prior to the game in an effort to play, but after his locker was cleaned out, the presumption seems to be that he's shutting it down for the season. Even if this is it for Ohtani, he's arguably still the frontrunner for the AL MVP given his contributions on the mound and with the bat.

Rooker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Padres.

Rooker has just seven hits over 10 games in September, but he's posted three homers despite a 5:17 BB:K in that span. The outfielder's blast Friday was his 25th homer of the season. He's added 59 RBI, 54 runs scored, three stolen bases, a .239/.324/.467 slash line and 18 doubles through 123 contests as one of the Athletics' better hitters this year.

Morel went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Morel has homered four times over his last eight games, adding seven RBI in that span. The 24-year-old's gotten back into form over the last week or so, which has in turn helped him stay in the lineup more regularly, though the Cubs have also faced southpaws in three of their last five games. For the year, Morel is slashing .248/.312/.504 with 23 homers, 67 RBI, 55 runs scored and four stolen bases over 96 games.

Harper was ejected from Friday's game against the Cardinals, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Harper was upset by a called second strike that looked to be high and out of the strike zone. He struck out swinging on the next pitch and after firing his bat and helmet toward the third-base dugout, directed comments in the general vicinity of home plate umpire Alex Tosi that got him tossed. Harper had gone 0-for-2 with a run and an RBI prior to the ejection.

Ohtani (oblique) is out of the lineup Friday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani has now been out of the lineup for 11 straight games. He was in the original lineup Monday before being scratched, so perhaps the team believes he can return soon -- explaining the lack of an injured list stint. Randal Grichuk will take a turn at designated hitter while hitting sixth.

Pederson isn't in the Giants' lineup Friday against Colorado, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

After going 5-for-19 with a home run, three RBI and four runs scored across his last six games, Pederson will get a breather for Friday's series opener. Mike Yastrzemski, Luis Matos and Mitch Haniger will start across the outfield while Michael Conforto serves as the Giants' DH.

The Padres reinstated Choi (ankle) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Choi initially landed on the injured list Aug. 14 due to a left rib strain, but his stay was extended after he suffered a fractured ankle during a rehab game at Triple-A El Paso. Fortunately for the Padres, Choi was cleared to resume playing relatively quickly, and he will return to San Diego after going 4-for-25 with an RBI and a run scored through seven rehab games. Matt Carpenter (elbow) was placed on the 10-day IL in a corresponding move.

The Padres placed Carpenter on the 10-day injured list Friday with right elbow inflammation.

The move comes retroactive to Tuesday, so Carpenter will be eligible to return in a week. Carpenter has gone 2-for-10 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored since the start of September, and he will be replaced on the roster by Ji-Man Choi (ankle), who was reinstated from the injured list Friday.

Garver (foot) is serving as the DH and batting cleanup Friday at Cleveland.

Garver was lifted from Thursday's series finale against the Blue Jays after fouling a ball off his left foot, but X-rays came back negative and he won't miss a contest, serving as the designated hitter for Friday's series opener versus the Guardians. Jonah Heim will do the catching for the visiting Rangers.

O'Keefe was activated from the paternity leave list and optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

Luis Torrens took O'Keefe's spot on the roster earlier this week and the Mariners have elected to keep the former around as Cal Raleigh's backup. It allows Seattle to retain catching depth, as Torrens cannot be optioned and could've been lost on waivers.