MLB Player News

Ohtani (knee) threw a 30-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

For the first time since making his last appearance as a pitcher July 3, Ohtani faced off against hitters in what marked a major milestone in his recovery from a lingering left knee issue and a more minor triceps injury. Manager Dave Roberts said afterward that Ohtani will likely need to throw one more live BP before getting cleared to pitch in games, but the two-way superstar doesn't seem to be too far away from doing so. Once he's eventually ready to start as a pitcher, Ohtani will likely be operating with a restricted workload and could need to be piggybacked.

Happ isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Seattle.

The switch-hitting Happ is slashing just .158/.229/.292 through 132 plate appearances against southpaws this season, so the Cubs will keep him on the bench Saturday while highly touted lefty Kade Anderson makes his MLB debut on the mound for the Mariners. Kevin Alcantara will start in left field and bat eighth.

Lawlar isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Cincinnati.

Lawlar will get a breather Saturday after starting four straight games since his return from the injured list, going 3-for-15 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. Lars Nootbaar, Ryan Waldschmidt and Corbin Carroll will start across the outfield with Lawlar on the bench.

Kepler isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Reds.

Kepler's playing time has begun to dwindle recently, as he's started just four of Arizona's last 12 games, and that trend may continue now that Jordan Lawlar has returned from the injured list. Both players will begin Saturday's contest on the bench while Lars Nootbaar, Ryan Waldschmidt and Corbin Carroll form the D-backs' outfield trio.

Winn (thumb) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Phillies.

Winn has missed out on the starting nine for each of St. Louis' last two contests due to thumb irritation, and although he's appeared in both games off the bench, he'll remain out of the lineup Saturday. JJ Wetherholt will slide over to shortstop as a result, giving Jose Fermin a start at the keystone.

Tovar isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Guardians.

Tovar will grab a seat on the bench Saturday after going 0-for-9 with three strikeouts and a sacrifice fly over his last five games. His absence will cause Cole Carrigg to move to shortstop while Zac Veen, Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak start across the outfield.

Rojas isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Pirates, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Rojas is likely to see more time at second base going forward with Tommy Edman entering the mix for starts in center field while Andy Pages (hand) is out, but the Dodgers will keep Rojas on the bench Saturday while Edman starts at second base and Alek Thomas makes his Dodgers debut in center.

The Nationals transferred Early (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Early has been on the injured list since the beginning of July with elbow inflammation and isn't expected to return until September after suffering a setback in early August, so his move to the 60-day IL won't affect his return timeline. He'll give up his spot on the 40-man roster to Matt Waldron, who was claimed off waivers from Toronto on Saturday.

The Nationals claimed Waldron off waivers from the Blue Jays on Saturday.

Waldron has put up a 7.54 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 37 innings in the majors this season between San Diego and Toronto, but the Nationals will pick him up anyway to add a multi-inning arm to their bullpen. Connelly Early (elbow) was transferred to the 60-day IL to create room for Waldron on the 40-man roster.

The Dodgers placed Pages on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left hand fracture.

Pages suffered a hand fracture after getting hit by a pitch during Friday's game against Pittsburgh, and manager Dave Roberts said after the game that the outfielder is expected to miss roughly 4-to-5 weeks while he recovers. The Dodgers believe Pages will be able to play again this year, but whether he does so in the regular season remains to be determined. In the meantime, Alek Thomas will come up from Triple-A to replenish Los Angeles' outfield depth and figures to contend with Tommy Edman and Alex Call for reps in center field.