MLB Player News

Ohtani is scheduled to pitch two innings in his start Saturday versus Houston, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.

After completing exactly one inning in both of his first two starts as a pitcher, Ohtani tossed two frames in his third outing last Saturday in Kansas City. The two-way star shined in that appearance, giving up just one hit and no runs, but the Dodgers appear intent on keeping his workload limited to a pair of innings again Saturday. Fantasy managers should continue to limit their expectations for Ohtani as a hurler since he isn't likely to go deep enough to qualify for a win or rack up a ton of punchouts. Justin Wrobleski is expected to pitch behind Ohtani in bulk relief.

Manager Bob Melvin said Friday that he expects Chapman (hand) to return from the injured list Saturday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

A sprained right hand sent Chapman to the injured list in early June. He's due to play in a rehab game at Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, and if all goes well, he'll return to a Giants lineup Saturday that has been running low on infield options lately.

Falter (6-4) took the loss Friday against the Mariners, giving up four runs (three earned) on three hits and no walks in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

After working just 1.2 innings in a rain-shortened appearance in his last start, Falter managed his longest outing Friday since his May 31 start. The four strikeouts matched the southpaw's most in his last eight appearances, and he avoided issuing a free pass for the first time since May 20. Falter will take a 3.69 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 56:32 K:BB across 92.2 frames on the road his next time out against the Royals, who are batting just .228 versus left-handed pitching since and including June 10.

Hagenman didn't factor into the decision Friday against the Yankees, giving up four runs on five hits and no walks in 4.1 innings. He struck out five.

Hagenman served up three home runs, two of which came in the opening frame. The right-hander settled down a bit afterward to eat some innings for a depleted Mets rotation, fanning a season-high five in his longest outing of the year. Through 10.1 frames, Hagenman owns a 4.35 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 10:0 K:BB. His next turn in New York's rotation lines up to be against the Orioles at Camden Yards, although it's possible Kodai Senga (hamstring) will be able to return for that spot.

Schmitt (hand) resumed swinging a bat Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt said he didn't have any issues swinging, and he felt good enough to begin taking batting practice as well. The 26-year-old infielder landed on the injured list Monday due to inflammation in his left hand, though he seems to be progressing quickly enough to have a chance to return when eligible next Monday.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Carroll (wrist) could be activated off the injured list this weekend, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Carroll kicked off a minor-league rehab assignment with Arizona's ACL team Thursday and went 0-for-2 with two walks. The star outfielder initially seemed set for an extended absence after being diagnosed with a chip fracture in his left wrist in late June, but Carroll now appears to be ready to return to the Diamondbacks in short order. Jake McCarthy has been getting most of the starts in right field while Carroll has been out.

Mikolas (4-6) took the loss against the Cubs on Friday, allowing eight runs on 10 hits and no walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Mikolas surrendered a staggering six home runs over the first three innings but did manage to complete six frames. The 36-year-old has now allowed at least one long ball in six consecutive outings, a stretch that includes two quality starts but also three in which he's given up six or more earned runs. He'll take a 5.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 60:20 K:BB across 87.1 innings into a home matchup with the Nationals next week.

Hoskins is out of the starting lineup Friday versus Miami.

Hoskins isn't starting for the second time in the past four games while in the midst of a 3-for-22 stretch at the plate. Jake Bauers is taking Hoskins' spot at first base Friday.

Rea (6-3) earned the win against the Cardinals on Friday, allowing one run on one hit and two walks with four strikeouts over 6.2 innings.

Rea surrendered just one hit, a solo home run in the fourth inning, despite generating only six swinging strikes on 97 pitches. The 35-year-old notched his fourth quality start of the season and second in his last four outings, though that stretch also includes a seven-run blowup against Seattle on June 22. He'll carry a 4.13 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB across 85 innings into a road matchup with the Twins next week.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 11-3 win over the Cardinals.

Swanson singled and scored in the third inning before crushing a 423-foot homer in the seventh. The shortstop has hit safely in nine of his past 10 games, recording five multi-hit efforts, three RBI and seven runs scored in that span. For the season, he's slashing .254/.304/.436 with 15 home runs, 42 RBI, 50 runs scored and seven steals across 366 plate appearances.