MLB Player News

Brantley was removed from Sunday's game against the Giants with right ankle discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Brantley went 1-for-2 with a run before being replaced in the left field to open the bottom of the third inning. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the 34-year-old will have Monday's scheduled off day to aid in his recovery before potentially missing additional time.

McCutchen (knee) underwent an MRI on Sunday, Matt Breen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

McCutchen exited Saturday's loss to the Pirates with a left knee issue, and he was held out of the lineup Sunday. Manager Joe Girardi said that the team is still waiting on results from the outfielder's exam, and a timetable for his return isn't yet known.

Angels manager Joe Maddon said that Ohtani, who is managing a sore thumb, won't be available to pitch again until at least Thursday in the finale of Los Angeles' upcoming series with the Rangers, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The injury doesn't affect Ohtani at the plate, so he'll remain in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Oakland as the Angels' designated hitter. Before the Angels pencil Ohtani back into their pitching schedule, he'll presumably need to complete a bullpen session without any discomfort. If Ohtani isn't deemed ready to pitch in Arlington, Maddon said the right-hander could rejoin the rotation for the Angels' Freeway Series with the Dodgers next weekend.

Alvarez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Alvarez started in left field in the series opener Friday in San Francisco and went 0-for-4 with a walk, but he'll be on the bench for the second day in a row as the Astros make defense more of a priority in the corner-outfield spots. After Sunday's series finale, Houston will play games in Los Angeles against the Dodgers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Alvarez could be in store for another off day or two with no designated hitter available in the National League park.

Dickerson is not in the lineup Sunday against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Dickerson has regularly sat versus left-handed starters this year, but he's now sitting for the second straight game against a righty and for the third consecutive contest overall. The 30-year-old is 0-for-15 in his past seven contests and has a .687 OPS for the season. LaMonte Wade will start in left field Sunday as Dickerson appears to be losing his grip on a starting role.

Torrens is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Cal Raleigh is catching, Ty France is playing first base and Mitch Haniger is serving as the designated hitter in the series finale, closing off all of Torrens' avenues to the lineup. The 25-year-old has supplied a .758 OPS since the All-Star break and should still have a fairly clear path to a near-everyday role.

Ramirez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Ramirez will hit the bench after he had started in each of the past eight games, going 6-for-33 with no walks over that stretch. His slash line now sits at .266/.305/.416 for the season after the recent slide, but Ramirez should still rank ahead of both Oscar Mercado and Daniel Johnson in the pecking order for everyday duties in left field.

Jimenez (groin) remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Cleveland.

Jimenez's sore right groin will keep him on the bench for the fourth game in a row, but the 24-year-old appears optimistic that he'll avoid a trip back to the injured list. According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Jimenez gave the media a thumbs up when asked about how he felt following a pregame workout Sunday, a sign that he could be ready to go when the White Sox begin a three-game series against Kansas City on Tuesday. After returning from an extended stay on the IL following spring pectoral surgery, Jimenez went 2-for-11 in his first three games with Chicago before picking up the groin injury.

Ruf went 2-for-5 with a home run and two additional runs in Saturday's win over the Astros.

Ruf went yard for the first time since July 18, and he also extended his hitting streak to six games. Plus, the three runs scored Saturday represent the second-highest mark of the season for the first baseman. The veteran slugger ended July on a strong note with a slash line of .298/.420/.649 while also hitting .310 over his last 10 contests.

Miller will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Pirates.

Miller will start for the fourth time in five games, but his run of regular playing time will likely come to an end as soon as Rhys Hoskins (groin) is cleared to return to action. Hoskins is considered day-to-day at this stage, but a trip to the injured list could grow more likely if he remains out of the lineup for Monday's series opener in Washington.