MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Thursday's loss to the White Sox.

The two-way superstar made things interesting in the ninth inning, cutting the deficit to 9-7 with a two-out, two-run shot off Kendall Graveman, but the Angels got no closer. It's Ohtani's 14th homer in 26 games this month, boosting his league-leading total to 29. The long ball also extended his hit streak to seven games, and he's gone 14-for-30 (.467) with a 1.663 OPS in that span. Ohtani is on pace for a career season at the plate, even by his standards -- he's slashing .309/.392/.666 with 66 RBI, 58 runs scored and 11 steals through 360 plate appearances.

Martinez went 4-for-6 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in Thursday's 14-3 win over the Rockies.

Martinez led the Dodgers, accounting for four of their 18 hits in the blowout win. The designated hitter's biggest contribution was a two-run blast in the fourth inning to put the visitors in control. He's gone 14-for-46 (.304) over his last 11 games. The 35-year-old is up to a .267/.310/.586 slash line, 19 homers, 55 RBI, 37 runs scored and a stolen base through 64 contests on the year.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored Thursday against the Diamondbacks.

Ramirez drew a start with Brandon Pfaadt on the mound, though he's been in the lineup for just 12 of the Rays' last 22 games against right-handed pitching. Without injuries to other regulars in the lineup, Ramirez most often splits time with Luke Raley -- the duo have appeared in the lineup together only seven times in that same 22-game span -- with Raley drawing the larger portion of playing time. Ramirez's struggles to get on the field consistently are a sign of the team's depth, as he has maintained a 129 wRC+ and .349 wOBA across 234 plate appearances on the season.

Pederson is playing left field and batting third Thursday versus the Blue Jays.

Pederson has been pressed into outfield duty for the first time this season after Michael Conforto was forced from Wednesday's game due to left hamstring tightness. Patrick Bailey is serving as the Giants' designated hitter Thursday and Blake Sabol will start behind the plate.

Stanton is starting in right field and batting cleanup in Thursday's game versus the Athletics, Greg Joyce of the New York Post reports.

Stanton has now made back-to-back starts in right field and has been at the position three times over the last week. Those are his first three starts in the field since April 12, as he had been limited to designated hitter duty following a seven-week absence with a strained hamstring. Gleyber Torres will DH in this one, with DJ LeMahieu handling second base.

Carpenter is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates.

Carpenter started Wednesday's game after being on the bench for eight straight, but he's now riding the pine again Thursday even with the Pirates starting a righty (Luis Ortiz). After putting up a .908 OPS in April, the 37-year-old has just a .497 OPS and 33 percent strikeout rate in the two months since. Because Carpenter doesn't provide value with the glove and has been in a deep slump at the plate for a while, his roster spot wouldn't seem to be secure at this point.

Jimenez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 11-5 win over the Angels.

Jimenez has consecutive multi-hit games since he snapped an 0-for-12 skid. The outfielder has knocked five of his 10 homers this season in June. He's up to 31 RBI, 23 runs scored and a .262/.306/.472 slash line through 49 contests while maintaining a regular role in the White Sox's lineup.

Stanton went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and a walk in Wednesday's 11-0 win over the Athletics.

Stanton's fourth-inning blast gave Domingo German all the run support he needed in his perfect game. Prior to Wednesday, Stanton had gone just 3-for-37 (.081) with no extra-base hits, one RBI and a 3:16 BB:K over his last 10 games. This was his first multi-hit game since returning from a hamstring injury June 2. The slugger is up to seven homers, 17 RBI and 13 runs scored, but he's slashing a meager .197/.260/.410 through 32 contests.

Ohtani is still scheduled to start Monday against the Padres despite his cracked fingernail, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Ohtani was pulled from his start on the mound Tuesday due to a cracked fingernail, though he remained in the game as Los Angeles' designated hitter. While it doesn't seem like he'll miss his next start, it's possible the Angels push Ohtani back by a couple days if his nail is still bothering him by then.

Brantley (shoulder) hit in the cage Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Brantley also did some defensive drills in the outfield as he ramps back up again in what has been a setback-plagued recovery from August 2022 shoulder surgery. There remains no timetable for his 2023 debut with the Astros, but the 36-year-old is at least in a better place than he was a month ago. Maybe he could push for a return shortly after the All-Star break.