MLB Player News

The Tigers optioned Valencia to Triple-A Toledo following Sunday's game against the Orioles.

Valencia was recalled from Triple-A shortly before the All-Star break to provide catching depth behind Dillon Dingler, but the former will head back to Toledo after Gleyber Torres (oblique) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list. Valencia did well at the plate during his short major-league stint, going 5-for-12 (.417) with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

Gonzalez had been included in the lineup in four of the Red Sox's last five games, but three of those starts came against left-handed pitching. The 29-year-old looks like he'll have to settle for more of a part-time role versus righties, especially while Masataka Yoshida (1.117 OPS in July) is swinging a hot bat.

Alvarez went 1-for-4 with an RBI double in Sunday's 5-2 loss to the Orioles.

The Astros ended up getting swept during their first series coming out of the All-Star break, but Alvarez did his part to keep the offense afloat. He contributed run-scoring doubles in all three contests of the series, boosting his American League-leading RBI total to 73. Alvarez is also pacing the AL in home runs (31) and ranks first among qualified hitters in batting average (.319), putting him in strong position to become the majors' first Triple Crown winner since Miguel Cabrera in 2012.

Del Castillo went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-7 extra-inning win over the Cardinals.

Del Castillo made his first appearance since being recalled Saturday, serving as the designated hitter. An injury to Lourdes Gurriel (thigh) provides an opportunity for the left-handed batting Del Castillo to get platoon work at DH, although he was demoted earlier this month due to a lack of hitting.

Lowe went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Sunday's 9-6 win over the Rockies.

Lowe wasted no time getting Cincinnati on the board, crushing a three-run homer off Ryan Feltner in his first plate appearance as part of a five-run opening inning. The blast was his 11th of the season, and after enduring a 28-game home run drought, he has now gone deep twice over his last three contests. Across 72 games this season, Lowe is slashing .249/.333/.473 with 11 home runs, 13 doubles, 30 RBI and 22 runs scored.

Eldridge went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Mariners.

Eldridge had no problems with the pitcher-friendly T-Mobile Park over the weekend, going 4-for-12 with two homers during the three-game set in Seattle. His homer Sunday came in the first inning, and it was his 10th long ball of the season. He also logged the first steal of his career during the eighth inning. Eldridge is batting .275 with an .858 OPS, 23 RBI, 30 runs scored and 13 doubles across 57 contests.

Manager Dave Roberts said that "it's going to be some time" before Ohtani retakes the mound for the Dodgers, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

The two-way superstar was initially expected to make his first start on the mound after the All-Star break Wednesday in Philadelphia, but that plan was scrapped after he felt discomfort in his left knee while playing catch this weekend. Ohtani will continue to serve as Los Angeles' primary designated hitter, however, since the injury presents more problems while pitching due to the "torque of landing on that leg," per Roberts. Ohtani seems unlikely to pitch for at least the next couple weeks but is without an official timeline for his return to the bump.

Ohtani (knee) will not start this upcoming Wednesday against Philadelphia, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.

Ohtani's second-half pitching debut will have to wait a little longer, as the Dodgers want to be cautious and give his knee some more time to heal. Manager Dave Roberts expects Ohtani to return to the mound at some point this season but admitted Sunday that it is "going to be some time" before the two-way star is pitching again, per Harris. Despite his knee problems, the 31-year-old will continue to handle designated hitter duties, and he will make his ninth consecutive start Sunday against the Yankees.

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

Springer started the first two games coming out of the All-Star break and will hit the bench Sunday after going 2-for-8 with a homer and three RBI. Vladimir Guerrero is serving as the DH on Sunday while Sean Keys picks up a start at first base.

Jones started in left field and went 1-for-1 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Rays.

Jones made his first start since being acquired from the Tigers and took Ian Seymour deep in the second inning to wipe out an early Tampa Bay lead. That was his lone plate appearance, as Jarren Duran pinch hit for him in the fourth inning, when the Rays replaced Seymour with right-hander Kevin Kelly. Jones has a career .478 OPS against righties, but a .757 mark against southpaws.