MLB Player News

Ohtani (6-2) earned the win Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk over six innings in a 5-3 victory over the Rangers. He struck out three and went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks at the plate.

Ohtani tied his season low in strikeouts, and Thursday's tilt marked his first outing with fewer than five punchouts since May 3rd. However, he managed to pick up his first win in his last six appearances to notch his eighth quality start, and he also helped himself offensively with his 22nd long ball. Though Ohtani has taken a step back from his incredible 2022 season on the mound, where he tallied a 2.33 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 219 strikeouts across 166 innings, he's remained a strong source of strikeouts (11.52 K/9) while totaling a 3.29 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 82 innings in 2023. Ohtani is in line for another tough matchup next time he takes the mound, which is expected to come during a two-game homestand versus the Dodgers.

Morel went 3-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and two RBI in Thursday's win over the Pirates.

Morel continues to roll along, as he now has hits in five straight games and a robust 1.016 OPS for the season. The 23-year-old's absurd home run pace has predictably slowed down, however. He has two long balls in his last 15 games after going deep nine times in his first 12 contests of the year.

Encarnacion-Strand started in right field for Triple-A Louisville on Thursday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Encarnacion-Strand looks to be next in line among Cincinnati's prospects to be called up, though he's blocked at first base by Spencer Steer and potentially Joey Votto (shoulder). The Reds have comparatively struggled to get production from their corner outfield positions, as Stuart Fairchild has regularly started in left field of late while a combination of Will Benson and T.J. Hopkins have started in right. It's unclear if Encarnacion-Strand will prove trustworthy enough with the glove to stick in the outfield, but it's potentially one more path for him to reach the majors.

Martinez is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the White Sox.

Martinez has gone 0-for-12 with eight strikeouts and one walk over his last three games, though he still holds a shiny .894 OPS on the year. Jason Heyward is serving as the Dodgers' designated hitter Thursday and batting cleanup.

Meneses is out of the lineup Thursday against the Astros.

Meneses will grab some physical and mental rest after going 0-for-8 with three strikeouts in the first two games of the Nationals' three-game set in Houston. Corey Dickerson is taking a DH day Thursday with Stone Garrett covering left field.

Carpenter is out of the lineup Thursday versus the Guardians.

Nelson Cruz is filling the DH role for the Padres and batting sixth with left-hander Logan Allen on the bump for Cleveland. Gary Sanchez is also on the bench.

Vogelbach has not been used in a game since June 7 while working on his swing, Abbey Mastracco of the New York Daily News reports.

"I've been working on stuff that can hopefully lead to me getting the ball in the air like I like to get the ball in the air," Vogelbach said Wednesday before being held out of his sixth straight game. "Just being able to get in the cage and really dial into stuff that I can really go after and not have to worry about repeating it in the game the same night. I always use the term muscle memory and I always try to repeat swings so that you don't have to think about it and you just go back to doing what I do." The Mets could certainly use Vogelbach's power while Pete Alonso (wrist) is on the shelf, but so far this season the 30-year-old DH has only two homers and a woeful .297 SLG in 143 plate appearances. In Vogelbach's absence, the team has used the DH spot to give starters at other positions a partial rest. If the veteran slugger isn't able to fix the mechanical issues that have led to a career-high 51.9 percent groundball rate in 2023, he could get designated for assignment.

Buxton (rib) was activated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Buxton wound up being sidelined a few days past the minimum 10-day stay on the IL with a left rib contusion, but he's ready to go now for the Twins' four-game weekend series against the Tigers. The 29-year-old had been in a 2-for-22 rut at the plate before getting injured when he took a Tanner Bibee pitch to the ribs back on June 1.

McCutchen went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Cubs.

McCutchen led the game off with a home run, his first in his last 13 starts. In that span, he's earned 14 free passes while striking out only 10 times, but that's resulted in just three RBI and six runs scored. McCutchen continues to serve as the Pirates' primary leadoff hitter, though he's split the role with Tucupita Marcano against righties.

Ohtani went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in Wednesday's 6-3 loss to the Rangers.

Ohtani made things interesting in the ninth inning, launching a two-run, 453-foot shot off Will Smith to cut the Angels' deficit to 6-3. Ohtani has been red hot of late -- he's hit safely in 11 straight contests, including four straight multi-hit games, going 21-for-43 (.488) with six homers in that span. He's up to 21 homers this season, one shy of Pete Alonso for the league lead. Ohtani's now slashing a robust .299/.377/.610 with 52 RBI, 45 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.