MLB Player News

Ford signed a minor-league contract with the Angels on Aug. 16 and has gone 5-for-23 over his first six games at Triple-A Salt Lake.

The Angels are Ford's fourth organization of the season, after he began the year with the Mariners before being moved to San Francisco, back to Seattle and then to Atlanta. He cleared waivers when Atlanta designated him for assignment earlier this month, and he was later granted his release to pursue work elsewhere. Ford quickly found a home with the Angels, who will likely be able to present him with a clearer path to playing time if he were to reach the big leagues later this season. Shohei Ohtani is entrenched as the Angels' designated hitter, but Ford could be an option at first base if the team elects to demote or bench Jared Walsh, who is slashing .157/.235/.269 since the All-Star break.

Jimenez (elbow) isn't starting Wednesday against Baltimore.

Jimenez was hit by a pitch late in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles, but he underwent X-rays after the game that came back negative. Whether he's available off the bench Wednesday remains to be seen, but Jose Abreu will serve as the designated hitter while Andrew Vaughn starts at first base.

Belt was placed on the 10-day injured list with right knee inflammation Wednesday.

Belt has been bothered by his knee issue for most of the year, and he was scratched from Tuesday's lineup against the Tigers after the injury flared up. He was slated to miss a second consecutive game Wednesday and will ultimately be held out for at least a week and a half after being diagnosed with inflammation. J.D. Davis and Wilmer Flores should see additional playing time at first base in Belt's absence, while Bryce Johnson was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento on Wednesday.

Miller isn't starting Wednesday against Colorado.

Although the Rangers are facing a right-handed pitcher once again Wednesday, Miller will take a seat for a second consecutive game. Nathaniel Lowe is serving as the designated hitter while Mark Mathias enters the lineup at first base.

Blackmon isn't starting Wednesday against the Rangers.

Blackmon is getting a breather after he went 6-for-13 with a double, three RBI and a run over the last three games. Randal Grichuk will shift to right field while Wynton Bernard starts in center.

Belt (knee) isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Belt was scratched from Tuesday's lineup after a knee injury flared up, and he'll be held out of the starting nine for a second consecutive game. There's some concern that the issue could impact him for the remainder of his career, per Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. However, it's not yet clear whether he'll require an IL stint. Whether he's available off the bench Wednesday remains to be seen, but Wilmer Flores will shift to first base while Tommy La Stella serves as the designated hitter.

Madris is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Atlanta.

The lefty-hitting Madris sat out two of the past three games when the Pirates faced southpaws, but he'll be on the bench Wednesday with a right-hander (Kyle Wright) taking the hill for Atlanta. Madris still appears to have a hold on a strong-side platoon role at the position, as manager Derek Shelton likely just wanted to give the lightly-used Josh VanMeter some work in the series finale. VanMeter hadn't appeared in a game for the Pirates since Aug. 16.

Meneses went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, a double and two total runs scored in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Mariners.

Meneses accounted for the Nationals' runs with a seventh-inning solo shot before he scored on a Lane Thomas single in the ninth. The homer was Meneses' sixth of the year, but his first since Aug. 13. The 30-year-old has been productive in his first taste of major-league action, slashing .329/.356/.614 with eight RBI, 12 runs scored and two doubles through his first 18 contests. With Luke Voit back from a back injury, Meneses' playing time is likely to primarily be in right field going forward.

Jimenez was diagnosed with a bruised left elbow Tuesday after X-rays came back negative, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 25-year-old was struck in the elbow by a 102-mph fastball late in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles, but he avoided a fracture and should be considered day-to-day. Jimenez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks prior to the hit-by-pitch, raising his season slash line to .306/.372/.465. It's unclear if he'll be available for Wednesday's game in Baltimore, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him receive a day off.

Jimenez was removed from Tuesday's loss to the Orioles after being hit by a pitch on his left elbow, LaMond Pope of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Jimenez went 1-for-2 with a two-run home run and two walks and had a chance to add to that production in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on the corners, but he was struck in the elbow by a 102-mph fastball and was replaced by a pinch runner. The 25-year-old was hit on the elbow pad but still appeared to be in significant pain, and he should be considered day-to-day heading into Wednesday's contest.