MLB Player News

Harper (forearm) is starting Friday against the Angels.

Harper was removed from Wednesday's lineup due to right forearm soreness, but he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat third following Thursday's scheduled off day. Over his last five games, he's gone 4-for-20 with a double, two runs, an RBI, four walks and four strikeouts.

Alvarez signed a six-year, $115 million contract extension with the Astros on Friday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

Alvarez's contract is the largest ever for a designated hitter, and it'll keep him with the Astros through the 2028 season. The 24-year-old has remained effective early in 2022, slashing .272/.367/.574 with 14 home runs, 31 RBI and 30 runs.

Blackmon went 4-for-5 with a run and two RBI in Thursday's loss to the Braves.

The veteran drove in Colorado's first run with a first-inning single and collected another RBI with a single in the fifth. This was his second four-hit performance of the campaign, though he's still on pace for a career-worst .251 batting average. Blackmon has picked things up of late, however, slashing .400/.471/.500 with a home run and seven RBI over his past seven games.

Torrens went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and one run scored in Thursday's victory over the Orioles.

Torrens singled in each of his first three at-bats, including an RBI knock in the sixth off Orioles reliever Joey Krehbiel. It was the catcher's third multi-hit game and first three-hit game of the season. Torrens is currently slashing .222/.289/.524 and is battling for playing time with Cal Raleigh.

Winker went 3-for-5 with two doubles and one RBI in Thursday's victory over the Orioles.

Winker started the game with a leadoff double and added an RBI single in the third. Thursday's performance marked the left-hander's second three-hit game and his second contest with multiple extra-base hits this season. Across his first 50 games with Seattle, Winker is slashing .220/.302/.623 with just two homers and 19 RBI.

Jimenez (hamstring) could be activated from the injured list during the White Sox's next homestand, which begins June 7, Julia Kreuz of MLB.com reports.

Jimenez was in the lineup at Triple-A Charlotte as the designated hitter both Wednesday and Thursday, a good sign that he's getting close to a return after a brief setback. He has yet to play in the outfield on his rehab assignment, something the White Sox presumably would like to have him do prior to being activated. He has collected three hits in 11 at-bats with Charlotte.

Carpenter went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in the first game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Carpenter led off the bottom of the first inning with his third home run of the season -- each of which has come since he joined the Yankees on May 26. While he's had a more powerful impact than anticipated, it is worth noting that the long balls are his only three hits across 16 at-bats. Carpenter is also likely to find playing more difficult to come by if Giancarlo Stanton (ankle) is activated Saturday as expected.

Ohtani is serving as the designated hitter in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Ohtani was the starting pitcher during Thursday's matinee, and he allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out two in three innings to take the loss. He also went 1-for-5 with two strikeouts at the plate, and he'll remain in the lineup as the designated hitter and bat second during the second game of the twin bill. Ohtani's usage during the doubleheader marks the first time since 1945 that a player has served as the starting pitcher in a matinee before starting the second game of a twin bill as a non-pitcher.

Choi isn't starting Thursday's game against Texas, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Choi will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games since left-hander Taylor Hearn is on the mound for the Rangers. Francisco Mejia will serve as the designated hitter while Harold Ramirez starts at first base.

Alvarez went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI in Wednesday's 5-4 win over the A's.

His bases-loaded double in the top of the ninth inning proved to be the game-winning hit. Alvarez has reeled off multiple hits in four straight games and five of the last six, boosting his slash line on the season to .272/.367/.574 with 14 homers, 30 runs and 31 RBI in 45 contests.