MLB Player News

Ramirez (thumb) could be cleared to take live batting practice as soon as Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Both Ramirez and Wander Franco (wrist) seem to be at similar points in their recoveries from injuries, as the two have both been cleared to take dry swings and could be ready to take another meaningful step forward this weekend. Ramirez, who has been sidelined since the All-Star break with a fractured right thumb, should have an everyday role waiting for him either at designated hitter or in the corner outfield once he's ready to come off the 10-day injured list. He was hitting .329 with four home runs, three steals, 35 RBI and 31 runs in 78 games prior to being deactivated.

Atlanta reinstated Ford (neck) from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and designated him for assignment.

With Ford coming off the 40-man roster and Adam Duvall (wrist) shifting to the 60-day injured list, Atlanta was able to open up spots for infielder Vaughn Grissom and reliever Kirby Yates (elbow), who were both activated in advance of Wednesday's series finale in Boston. It's the fourth occasion in which Ford has been designated for assignment this season, with the Mariners booting him off their 40-man roster twice and the Giants doing so once. The power-hitting first baseman/designated hitter will likely report to Triple-A Gwinnett if he isn't claimed off waivers.

Morel isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Washington.

Morel started the last two games and went 3-for-8 with a homer, three runs and two RBI. Zach McKinstry will take over at the hot corner and bat sixth Wednesday.

Choi isn't starting Wednesday against the Brewers, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Even with right-hander Brandon Woodruff on the mound for Milwaukee on Wednesday, Choi will retreat to the bench after he went 2-for-13 with a run, four walks and five strikeouts over the last five games. Yandy Diaz is serving as the designated hitter while Isaac Paredes starts at first base.

Meneses went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a second run scored in Tuesday's win over the Cubs.

His blast off Mark Leiter in the eighth inning proved to be the game-winning hit. Meneses has looked good in his first taste of big-league action, going 6-for-20 (.300) over six games with three homers and five RBI. The 30-year-old rookie will likely move into a full-time role while Nelson Cruz (shoulder) is day-to-day.

Buxton went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in a 10-3 loss to the Dodgers on Tuesday.

Buxton singled in the sixth inning and took reliever Phil Bickford deep to left in the eighth for his fourth long ball of the second half. The performance improved his slash line to .222/.301/.549, though the bigger story is that the 28-year-old started again at DH despite a couple of recent off days. Minnesota is taking a cautious approach with its injury-prone star; Buxton (undisclosed) hasn't played the field since July 31 aside from one inning Sunday.

Ohtani (10-7) pitched six scoreless innings in a win over the Athletics on Tuesday. He allowed four hits and three walks while striking out five, and he went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and two total runs scored at the plate.

Ohtani's combined batting and pitching lines produced something not seen in 50 years in the American League, ESPN reports. It was a welcome return to dominance for the right-hander -- he had allowed 11 runs (10 earned) across 18 innings in his last three starts, all losses. He lowered his ERA to 2.68 with a 1.05 WHIP and 157:27 K:BB through 111 innings across 19 starts, and he's up to 25 homers, 66 RBI, 62 runs scored and 11 stolen bases through 460 plate appearances. Ohtani's next projected start on the mound is lined up for a home start versus the Mariners next week.

Reyes went 1-for-4 with an RBI in a 6-5 loss Tuesday against Washington.

Reyes recorded his first hit as a Cub when he lined a single to right field with two outs in the seventh to tie the game 4-4. He was replaced with a pinch runner following the hit. The 27-year-old hit fifth in the lineup and served as the designated hitter in his first game for Chicago. He's likely to receive a significant amount of playing time down the stretch as the Cubs hope he can find his way and return to the level of his first four seasons when he produced a .828 OPS and 92 homers.

Madris is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Arizona.

Madris is 2-for-15 with three walks and two runs through seven games in August and will head to the bench Tuesday. Michael Chavis will start at first base while Oneil Cruz rests his legs as the designated hitter.

Winker (back) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Winker was lifted from Monday's contest due to back spasms and will be out of the starting nine for at least one game. It's unclear if the 28-year-old will be available off the bench, and he should be considered day-to-day until the team updates his status. Jake Lamb will start in left field and bat cleanup.