MLB Player News

Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

For the seventh time in nine games, Choi finds himself on the bench. Though the lefty-hitting Choi has sat out against five lefties during that stretch, he'll take a seat against a righty (Nick Pivetta) in the series finale. With Choi supplying a lowly .419 OPS since the All-Star break, it's possible that the Rays will look to move him out of his strong-side platoon role at first base.

Alvarez is dealing with left hand soreness and is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Though it was a right hand injury that resulted in the 25-year-old landing on the injured list ahead of the All-Star break, Alvarez's other hand is now presenting complications. According to McTaggart, manager Dusty Baker expects Alvarez to rejoin the lineup Tuesday against the Rangers following Monday's off day, but it's unclear if the All-Star slugger will be able to quickly recapture the form he displayed in the first half. Since the start of August, Alvarez has produced only four extra-base hits and is batting just .234.

Ohtani (11-8) earned the win Saturday, allowing zero runs on two hits and one walk over seven innings against the Blue Jays. He struck out nine.

Ohtani surrendered only one extra-base hit -- a double off the bat of Vladimir Guerrero. The righty has recorded a quality 2.20 ERA over 28.2 innings in five starts during August. The 28-year-old has been slumping with the bat over his last seven games, recording a .150 average and .300 slugging percentage in 20 at-bats.

Stanton will sit Saturday against the Athletics.

Stanton returned from an Achilles injury Thursday and went 1-for-8 with a pair of walks across his first two games back. He won't be asked to start three days in a row right away. Gleyber Torres will rest his legs as the designated hitter Saturday, with DJ LeMahieu starting at second base.

Blackmon isn't starting Saturday against the Mets, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.

Blackmon is out of the lineup for the second time in the last four games after he went 2-for-8 with three strikeouts over the last two matchups. Randal Grichuk will start in right field and lead off Saturday.

Pederson will be on the bench Saturday against the Twins, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

It's surprising to see Pederson on the bench despite the fact that righty Sonny Gray will be on the mound for Minnesota. All five of Pederson's previous absences against righties this season occurred due to injury, so it's possible he's dealing with at least a minor issue. Luis Gonzalez will get the start in left field.

Vogelbach will be on the bench Saturday against the Rockies.

Vogelbach's off day Friday against righty Chad Kuhl was unusual, though his off day here against lefty Kyle Freeland was to be expected. Darin Ruf will be the designated hitter in his place.

Miller isn't starting Saturday against Detroit.

Miller appears to have lost his job as the Rangers' primary designated hitter, and he'll be on the bench for a fourth consecutive matchup. Mark Mathias is serving as the DH and batting seventh.

Jimenez (leg) will bat cleanup and serve as the designated hitter Saturday against the Diamondbacks.

Jimenez left Friday's series opener with a right leg injury, though the White Sox downplayed the issue after the game. Jimenez will indeed return to action without missing a start, though he won't be asked to play the field.

Choi isn't starting Saturday against Boston, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi went 1-for-4 with a two-run homer and two strikeouts Friday, but he'll get a breather with left-hander Rich Hill on the mound Saturday. Harold Ramirez is starting at first base and batting cleanup.