MLB Player News

Harper (thumb) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Harper is expected to appear in Triple-A games through Saturday before resting Sunday. If he feels good throughout his rehab assignment, it's possible that he'll be cleared to rejoin the Phillies as early as Aug. 29, when the team begins a three-game series in Arizona. Before he underwent surgery on his left thumb in late June, Harper hadn't made a start in the outfield since April 16 while recovering from a UCL sprain in his right elbow. He had his throwing program shut down earlier this month after experiencing renewed soreness in his elbow, so he's expected to serve exclusively as a designated hitter for the Phillies when he eventually comes off the 60-day injured list.

Ohtani (illness) isn't starting Monday against the Rays.

Ohtani served as the starting pitcher Sunday against the Tigers but was removed from the game due to a stomach virus. He won't start as the designated hitter Monday, as Mike Trout is taking over the DH while Magneuris Sierra starts in center field. It's not yet clear whether Ohtani will be available off the bench if needed.

Miller went 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI and a run in Sunday's 7-0 win over the Twins.

The three-RBI performance exceeded Miller's output (two) from his previous 24 games combined, a drought that extends back nearly two months. Even though he's holding down a mediocre .584 OPS for the season, the lefty-hitting Miller appears to have at least resolidified himself as a strong-side platoon player at designated hitter. He'll start at DH in Monday's series finale and will bat eighth.

Choi will sit Monday versus the Angels.

Choi will be on the bench for a third consecutive contest Monday. Isaac Paredes will take over at first base and bat third in the series opener.

Atlanta designated Goins for assignment Monday.

As anticipated, Goins' stay on the 40-man roster was a brief one, as he lost his spot Monday with Atlanta bringing back Ehire Adrianza (illness) from the 10-day injured list. While serving as a utility man during his six-day stint with Atlanta, the 34-year-old Goins didn't see any game action.

Ramirez went 3-for-4 with two RBI in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Royals.

Ramirez enjoyed a big weekend against Kansas City, starting in three of the four games of the series while going a collective 7-for-12 with two RBI and two runs. Even with Manuel Margot's recent return from the injured list making the Tampa Bay lineup more crowded these days, Ramirez should have a clear path to a near-everyday role at first base, designated hitter or in a corner-outfield spot.

Canha went 3-for-5 with two homers and five RBI in Sunday's 10-9 win over the Phillies.

Canha came up clutch for the Mets on Sunday; he belted a game-tying, three-run shot in the seventh inning followed by a go-ahead, two-run homer in the ninth. After opening the month in a 4-for-25 (.160) skid, the 33-year-old has gone 11-for-25 (.440) with nine RBI over his last eight games. Canha's season slash line is up .275/.374/.410 with 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBI.

Blackmon went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored in Sunday's extra-innings loss against the Giants.

Blackmon notched two singles, his first in the eighth to score Ryan McMahon to move the game to 6-4. He then recorded another base knock in the 10th, which also scored McMahon and tied the game at eight, after which he was removed for a pinch runner. Blackmon has a modest five-game hitting streak and is slashing .266/.317/.436 on the season.

The Angels announced that Ohtani was removed in the top of the fifth inning of Sunday's game against the Tigers due to a stomach virus. Ohtani struck out two and was charged with three earned runs on five hits and four walks over four innings before departing. He also went 0-for-1 with a walk at the plate.

Ohtani was removed from the contest when his third turn in the batting order came up in the fifth, as Kurt Suzuki came off the bench to pinch hit for the two-way standout. The stomach illness explains at least in part why Ohtani might have labored through one of his worst starts of the season on the mound, as he needed 85 pitches to record 12 outs and threw only 47 strikes. Assuming he's quickly able to move past the stomach ailment, Ohtani shouldn't be forced to miss a turn through the rotation, but his availability for Monday's game in Tampa Bay as a designated hitter is more of a question mark.

Winker is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Oakland.

The lefty-hitting Winker will duck out of the lineup with southpaw JP Sears taking the hill for Oakland. Dylan Moore will step in for Winker as the Mariners' left fielder.