MLB Player News
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Marcell Ozuna DH | PIT
Braves' Marcell Ozuna: Mashes eighth homer
Ozuna went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's win over the Rangers.
Texas sent backup catcher Sandy Leon to the mound in the ninth inning with Atlanta ahead 10-0, and Ozuna rubbed a little salt in the wound by putting a batting-practice fastball into the second deck in left field. The 32-year-old slugger continues his impressive May, batting .300 (12-for-40) on the month with six of his eight homers and 12 of his 14 RBI.
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Joey Meneses DH | NYM
Nationals' Joey Meneses: Four RBI in win
Meneses went 4-for-5 with three doubles and four RBI in Monday's 10-3 win over the Mets.
Meneses' first RBI double opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, and his second put the Nationals back on top 2-1. He struck out his third time up but responded with a run-scoring, infield single in the sixth and extended Washington's lead to 10-2 with another RBI double in the eighth. Monday's performance marked Meneses' third four-hit game of the season, but it was his first outing of the year with multiple extra-base knocks. The 31-year-old is slashing .300/.328/.394 across 40 games (177 plate appearances) and is proving his breakout 2022 campaign wasn't a fluke.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Battles through neck stiffness
Ohtani (5-1) earned the win after allowing five runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five over seven innings during Monday's 9-5 victory over the Orioles. He also went 4-for-5 with a three-run home run, a triple, a walk and three runs scored as a hitter. After the game, Ohtani stated that he experienced some stiffness in his neck, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Ohtani appeared uncomfortable at times while on the mound Monday, but he noted after the contest that he doesn't believe it's anything serious. The Angels are sure to monitor their star two-way player closely moving forward and would likely hold him out Tuesday if there are any concerns. The 28-year-old Ohtani is once again making a compelling case for American League MVP honors while excelling on the mound and at the dish. Through nine starts, Ohtani has posted a 3.23 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 71:22 K:BB in 53 innings. In 40 games as a hitter, Ohtani has posted a .303 average to go with nine home runs, six stolen bases, 29 RBI and 25 runs.
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Christopher Morel 1B | MIA
Cubs' Christopher Morel: Power surge continues
Morel went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Monday's loss to the Astros.
Morel struck out in his other four at-bats, but fantasy managers won't mind the swings and misses as long as he's hitting the ball out of the park. The 23-year-old now has four home runs in six games since getting recalled from Triple-A. The Cubs almost certainly will keep Morel's hot bat in the lineup, especially if Cody Bellinger has to miss any time after leaving Monday's game with a leg injury following a diving catch. Morel shifted over from left field to center to cover for Bellinger after he departed.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Placed on 10-day injured list
Pederson was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right-hand contusion by the Giants on Monday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Pederson hurt his right hand while squaring up for a bunt attempt against the Diamondbacks on Friday, and there wasn't enough progress made in the last few days for him to avoid a trip to the injured list. It could be a minimum stint for the outfielder, but he'll miss at least a week after being placed on the injured list retroactive to May 13. Mike Yastrzemski (hamstring) came off the 10-day IL in a corresponding transaction.
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Joc Pederson DH | TEX
Giants' Joc Pederson: Won't play Monday
Pederson (hand) will be unavailable for Monday's game against the Phillies, Danny Emerman of KNBR 680 San Francisco reports.
Manager Gabe Kapler stated that Pederson is still too sore to take the field, and he'll miss his third consecutive matchup after being struck by a pitch on his right hand on a bunt attempt. J.D. Davis could once again man the designated hitter spot with Pederson out of commission.
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Darin Ruf DH | MIL
Brewers' Darin Ruf: Signed to active roster
Ruf signed a one-year contract with the Brewers on Monday.
Milwaukee opened up a spot for Ruf on the 26-man active roster by placing Luke Voit (neck) on the 10-day injured list. While Voit is on the shelf, Ruf should assume his duties as a short-side platoon option at first base or designated hitter. Ruf has a career .886 OPS versus left-handed pitching, although he hasn't been as effective against southpaws the last two seasons.
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Shohei Ohtani DH | LAD
Angels' Shohei Ohtani: Swipes sixth bag
Ohtani went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base Sunday in a loss to Cleveland.
Ohtani knocked an RBI single in the ninth inning to bring the Angels to within two runs, and he then moved into scoring position by stealing second base. The theft was the sixth of the campaign for the two-way star, though it was his first in over two weeks. Ohtani has also slugged eight homers, so he's currently on pace for the second 20-20 campaign of his career.
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Charlie Blackmon RF | COL
Rockies' Charlie Blackmon: Hitting well in May
Blackmon went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Sunday against the Phillies.
Blackmon reached base to lead off the bottom of the first inning and came around to score. He later doubled in the fifth frame to tally his second run of the game. Blackmon receives regular days off but has been productive across 33 at-bats in May, collecting 10 hits, six RBI and six runs scored. While his home park helps, five of the nine games in that span have come on the road.