MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Sunday in a 3-1 loss to the Mets.

Highlighting why Ohtani is the most unique player in baseball, the two-way star threw a 22-pitch live batting practice session -- marking his first time facing live hitters since undergoing Tommy John surgery in September 2023 -- before Sunday's game and then led off the contest with a 411-foot solo blast on Kodai Senga's second pitch. While excitement is starting to build about Ohtani's eventual return to the mound, he continues to rank as one of the league's most feared hitters, tying for the MLB lead with 18 home runs while posting a 1.026 OPS. According to Ronald Blum of the Associated Press, manager Dave Roberts said that Ohtani likely won't make his debut as a pitcher until after the All-Star break, but in the meantime, the 30-year-old should continue to provide plenty of value for fantasy managers with his production at the plate.

Arenado (rib) expects to return to the lineup Tuesday against the Orioles, John Denton of MLB.com reports. "Overall, I feel OK," Arenado said Monday after falling into the crowd while making a catch during Sunday's game. "Should be fine by [Tuesday], just kind of stiff today. So, I'm just going to get some treatment and then go from there."

The 10-time Gold Glover is dealing with some soreness in his rib/kidney region, but it sounds like he's expecting a quick turnaround. Nolan Gorman is starting at third base Monday against right-hander Charlie Morton.

Adam struck out one batter in a perfect inning to notch a hold against Atlanta on Sunday.

Adam needed just 10 pitches (seven of which were strikes) to set the side down in order in the eighth inning. He posted the clean frame against the heart of Atlanta's order, striking out Ronald Acuna before getting Drake Baldwin and Marcell Ozuna to ground out. Adam is in the midst of an excellent campaign -- he's tied for the league lead with 13 holds while posting a 1.40 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 29:12 K:BB through 25.2 innings.

Vientos is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.

Vientos was held out of the starting lineup Friday and Saturday due to abdominal soreness before returning Sunday. There has been nothing yet to suggest Monday's absence is directly related to the abdominal issue, though the team is likely being cautious coming off the injury. Recent call-up Jared Young is starting at DH with Brett Baty at third against right-hander Adrian Houser.

Cronenworth went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a double Sunday in a 5-3 victory versus Atlanta.

Cronenworth came up with a clutch homer in the seventh inning, going deep to right field to break a 3-3 tie. The long ball was his first in his past 13 games and his fourth of the campaign. Since returning May 9 from a month-long stint on the injured list, Cronenworth has slashed .250/.373/.479 with two homers, six RBI, six runs, a stolen base and a 9:12 BB:K.

Espinal is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Royals.

Espinal has been a regular in the lineup at third base -- and in the two hole -- for Cincinnati since Noelvi Marte (oblique) was placed on the injured list. However, Espinal's bat has gone cold, as he's just 11-for-65 (.169 average) with two extra-base hits (both doubles) in his last 17 games. The 30-year-old longtime utility man will sit Monday in favor of Garrett Hampson, who will be making his first start in a Reds uniform.

Machado went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional run scored and a double in Sunday's 5-3 win against Atlanta.

Machado scored the first run of the game after doubling in the first inning and added a 352-foot solo shot in the eighth frame. After battling through an 0-for-15, four-game stretch in mid-May, the veteran third baseman has bounced back with four multi-hit efforts in his past five contests. During that span, Machado has collected two homers and two doubles along with three RBI while going 8-for-19.

Nimmo (neck) is in the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox, starting in left field and batting second.

Neck stiffness forced Nimmo from Friday's game and kept him out for the final two games of the weekend series against the Dodgers, but he has received the green light to return against right-hander Adrian Houser. While he's been mostly healthy since turning the page on a knee issue in spring training, Nimmo is slashing just .212/.274/.397 with eight homers and one steal across 197 plate appearances so far this season.

Arenado is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.

Arenado has gone 1-for-14 in his last four games to drop his OPS to a career-low .684 through 209 plate appearances this season. The eight-time All-Star took a shot to the kidney region while making a catch in Sunday's game, as John Denton of MLB.com notes, though Arenado seems to be fine. Nolan Gorman is starting at the hot corner Monday in Arenado's absence.

The Nationals promoted Morales from Double-A Harrisburg to Triple-A Rochester on Friday.

Selected with the first pick of the second round in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Morales saw his 2024 campaign interrupted by a thumb injury. The 23-year-old was healthy to begin the current season and got off to a hot start with Harrisburg, slashing .315/.366/.520 with four home runs and a 23.2 percent strikeout rate over 33 games to earn the promotion. Over his first three contests with Rochester he's gone 2-for-9 with three walks against two strikeouts. Morales has split his time this season between third base and first base, but his likely home in the majors is at the latter position or at designated hitter.