MLB Player News

The Astros placed Brantley (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

After exiting Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Yankees with right shoulder discomfort, Brantley apparently didn't show enough improvement following Monday's team off day to avoid a trip to the IL. Houston will call up Chas McCormick to provide reinforcement in the outfield, and the Astros could use a committee of him, Mauricio Dubon, Aledmys Diaz and J.J. Matijevic to fill Brantley's vacated spot in the starting nine. Brantley will be eligible to come off the IL on July 7.

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in a 4-3 win over the White Sox on Monday.

Ohtani struck out twice in the contest, but he reached base in his other two plate appearances. The two-way star collected his eighth theft of the campaign following an intentional walk in the seventh inning. Ohtani is slashing .260/.343/.487 with 16 homers, 47 RBI, 45 runs and eight stolen bases as an offensive player on the season.

Stanton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk, an additional run and an additional RBI in Monday's win against Oakland.

The Yankees fell behind 5-1 after three innings before Stanton kicked off a comeback with his solo homer to left field leading off the fourth. The long ball was the fourth in the past five games for the slugger, and it extended a rather unusual streak in which each of Stanton's past five hits have left the yard. His last hit that wasn't a homer came 14 games ago, when Stanton knocked a single and a double against the Cubs.

Harper will require surgery for his broken thumb but could return in six weeks, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Harper suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch Saturday against San Diego. Previous reports indicated that he was tracking toward a return in late August, but Salisbury's report indicates he could return sometime in the first half of that month. A more precise idea of his return date should emerge once he's through surgery and begins ramping back up.

Buxton is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader in Cleveland.

Gilberto Celestino will pick up a start in center field in place of Buxton, who has been managing tendinitis in his right knee of late. The Twins haven't indicated that Buxton experienced any sort of setback during his 0-for-4, three-strikeout showing in Monday's 11-1 win, so his absence from the lineup for Game 1 on Tuesday is likely just part of a maintenance plan. Expect Buxton to check back into the starting nine for the second game of the day.

Winker has been suspended seven games for his actions during a benches-clearing brawl on Sunday against the Angels, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Winker received the longest suspension of any player involved in the incident. He has appealed the decision so will remain the starter in left field while hitting third Monday against the Orioles.

Harper is expected to undergo surgery to repair his fractured left thumb, but he plans to return during the 2022 season, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Harper had his thumb broken on a pitch by Blake Snell on Saturday and has already been placed on the 10-day injured list. Though surgery will set back his timetable, Lauber reports that Harper hopes to return by the end of August. In Harper's absence, Nick Castellanos is expected to serve as the team's primary designated hitter, with Odubel Herrera, Matt Vierling and Mickey Moniak combining to cover center and right field.

Torrens was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left shoulder injury, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

The exact nature and severity of the injury is unclear, but it apparently occurred during Sunday's benches-clearing brawl against the Angels. Andrew Knapp was called up to fill Torrens' spot as the backup catcher behind Cal Raleigh.

Lewis (concussion) took batting practice ahead of Monday's game against the Orioles, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Lewis has been ramping up his baseball activities since mid-June, and his participation in batting practice Monday is certainly an encouraging sign. It's not yet clear when the Mariners expect the 26-year-old to return or whether he'll require a rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Blackmon isn't starting Monday's game against the Dodgers.

Blackmon went 1-for-12 with a homer, two RBI, a walk and two strikeouts over the last three games, and he'll get a breather Monday. Connor Joe is serving as the designated hitter and leading off.