MLB Player News

Ohtani will be the Angels' starting pitcher Wednesday against the Rays but won't serve as the designated hitter, Daniel Guerrero of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old has served as the designated hitter while pitching this season, but he won't do so Wednesday since the Halos have a short bench with Anthony Rendon (knee) and Justin Upton (knee) banged up. Ohtani will take the mound for the fourth time this season and should return to the batter's box in Thursday's series finale.

Turner slugged a solo home run in his only at-bat in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs.

The veteran third baseman went 0-for-3 with a walk in the matinee before starting the second game on the bench. He was called upon to pinch hit in the eighth inning with the Dodgers clinging to a one-run lead and slugged a solo shot to left field, though Los Angeles was unable to close out the win. Turner has been the team's most effective hitter early in the campaign, slashing .333/.415/.600 with seven home runs and 22 RBI.

Harper (wrist) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Brewers.

Harper was hit by a pitch on his face and wrist last Wednesday against the Cardinals and will be out of the lineup for the sixth time in the last seven games. Brad Miller will start in right field and bat second.

Torrens isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Orioles.

Torrens went 2-for-4 with a double and a strikeout Tuesday and continues to alternate starts at catcher. Tom Murphy will start behind the plate and bat fifth.

Dickerson (shoulder) isn't starting Wednesday's game against the Rockies, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dickerson is dealing with shoulder soreness that also forced him to sit out the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader. Jason Vosler will start in left field and bat seventh. For what it's worth, manager Gabe Kapler doesn't believe Dickerson's injury is a major one, with the skipper noting that he has "optimism" that the 30-year-old may be available off the bench for the series finale in Colorado on Wednesday, according to Mark W. Sanchez of KNBR 680 San Francisco.

Choi (knee) went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly while starting at first base in a rehab game Tuesday with Triple-A Durham.

Choi was making his first game appearance since early March during spring training after he spent the better part of the last month and a half recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery. The 29-year-old is expected to spend the next six days at Triple-A to get his timing right at the plate, and if he avoids any setbacks with his right knee, he could return from the 10-day injured list early next week. Choi would likely settle into a large-side platoon role at first base or designated hitter.

Mercedes is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

As expected, Mercedes will remain on the bench for the second straight game in Cincinnati with the designated hitter not being available. Mercedes should make his return to the lineup Friday in Kansas City.

Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 7-3 win over Kansas City.

Ramirez made a noticeable contribution to Cleveland's rally, hitting a game-tying RBI single in the sixth inning and a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth. The 26-year-old outfielder has only played in two games, but he's hit two doubles and two singles in nine at-bats. If he can put together more positive performances, he could challenge for playing time in center field and right field.

Lewis went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run as Seattle beat Baltimore 5-2 Tuesday.

Lewis' eighth-inning home run gave Seattle a 5-1 advantage and proved crucial as Baltimore tacked on a run in the top of the ninth. The blast extended Lewis' hitting streak to six games, although he only has one hit in each game, and brought his average to just below the Mendoza Line at .196.

Miller went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run Tuesday against the Brewers.

Miller made his lone hit of the contest count when he smacked a home run off southpaw Eric Lauer to right field. With the Phillies missing Jean Segura (quadriceps), Miller has gotten more regular playing time and now has three long balls on the season. However, Segura just began a rehab assignment, and his return will likely cut significantly into Miller's presence in the lineup moving forward.