MLB Player News

Turner (groin) is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Manager Dave Roberts previously said the veteran third baseman wouldn't be available for Friday's contest, so this is an expected absence. It's the fourth consecutive game on the bench for Turner since he exited Sunday's contest with groin discomfort. The 36-year-old is expected to be evaluated Saturday, when it will likely be determined whether a trip to the injured list is necessary.

Choi will sit Friday against Minnesota, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Choi finds himself on the bench for the second game in a row, both of which have come against righties. He's had a poor showing thus far in August, going just 2-for-22 at the plate with 11 strikeouts. Yandy Diaz will start at first base in his absence.

Vientos has not played since Aug. 3 for Double-A Binghamton after being removed from that game due to "health and safety protocols," Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

The Mets have not released any updates about Vientos since, so the logical conclusion given the length of his absence is a positive test for COVID-19. The 21-year-old is having a strong campaign at Double-A, slashing .279/.350/.601 through 62 games with 20 homers and a 24:73 BB:K, and he's seen time at both first base and left field in addition to his usual spot at the hot corner with fellow third base prospect Brett Baty also on the roster for Binghamton.

Ohtani (7-1) allowed two runs on three hits and three walks with six strikeouts over six innings in Thursday's victory over the Blue Jays. He also went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and a walk.

Ohtani turned in a steady performance on the mound, limiting the potent Blue Jays lineup to just a pair of runs while chalking up his fifth consecutive quality start. Toronto was only able to get to Ohtani in the fourth inning, with its runs coming on a Teoscar Hernandez RBI single and a Randal Grichuk run-scoring double. At the dish, Ohtani drilled his Major League-leading 68th extra-base hit of the year with a leadoff double off the center-field wall in the first. He's tentatively scheduled to make his next start on the mound next week at Detroit.

Reyes has gone 0-for-13 with four walks in his last four games.

Reyes was hot prior to sitting out last Friday's game versus the Tigers. Since then, the designated hitter has seen his average tumble from .275 to .261 during the slump. He's still carrying an .873 OPS with 20 home runs, 53 RBI, 38 runs scored and three stolen bases through 286 plate appearances. The 26-year-old has also gone 12 games without a homer, but it's tough to keep the slugger quiet for long.

Harper went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two runs scored and two walks Thursday against the Dodgers.

Harper took Mitch White deep in the opening frame to record his 21st home run of the season. Although that was his lone hit in the team's three-game set against the Dodgers, Harper reached base in every contest and drew four total walks. Thursday's effort also continued Harper's August power surge, as he has now delivered five homers in his last 11 games. Overall, he has maintained a .298/.413/.568 line with 67 runs scored, 46 RBI and 12 stolen bases across 395 plate appearances.

Jimenez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in Thursday's win over the Yankees.

Jimenez crushed an Andrew Heaney offering in the sixth inning to give the White Sox a 5-3 lead. It was the fifth homer in the last five games for Jimenez, who is really getting locked in after returning in late July from his pectoral injury. The 24-year-old is 13-for-30 (.433) with nine extra-base hits over his last eight games.

Stanton was 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Thursday's loss to the White Sox.

Stanton gave the Yankees an 8-7 lead when he took Liam Hendriks deep to left field in the top of the ninth inning. It was the 18th home run of the season for Stanton, who had entered the night with just one extra-base hit in his previous six contests. After appearing in only 41 games over the last two years, combined, Stanton has played in 94 this season, slashing .259/.359/.452 in 398 plate appearances.

Winker went 3-for-4 with a grand slam and a pair of runs scored in Thursday's blowout win over Atlanta.

Winker slugged his grand slam off Atlanta starter Kyle Muller in the second inning, giving the Reds a 4-1 lead. It was the 24th round tripper of the season for Winker, who snapped a mini three-game hitless skid and later added a double and a single. The 27-year-old has been one of the biggest breakout stars of 2021, slashing .309/.397/.562 with 71 runs driven in.

Ohtani will hit atop the Angels' lineup and also serve as the starting pitcher Thursday against the Blue Jays, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Ohtani is leading off for the third game in a row after blasting his first home run since July 28 on Wednesday. He'll also take the mound for the first time since Aug. 4, when he threw six innings and allowed only one earned run.