MLB Player News

Ohtani threw a 22-pitch live batting practice session Sunday, Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com reports.

Facing live hitters for the first time since undergoing his second career Tommy John surgery Sept. 19, 2023, Ohtani reached a major milestone Sunday in what's been a slow ramp-up process with his throwing program. While taking the mound for five total at-bats against teammates Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing as well as a member of the Dodgers coaching staff, Ohtani recorded a pair of strikeouts and a groundout and gave up a walk and a double. Per Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said that Ohtani was throwing "free and easy" and sported a fastball that sat around 94 to 95 miles per hour during Sunday's workout while also mixing in a couple of sweepers as well as a splitter. Ohtani will likely continue to ramp up the intensity and volume of his live sessions over the next few weeks before the team pinpoints a target date for his debut as a pitcher. In the meantime, his preparations as a pitcher aren't expected to prevent him from serving as the Dodgers' everyday designated hitter; Ohtani will be in the lineup in the leadoff spot for Sunday's series finale versus the Mets.

Farmer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.

After a stretch of four straight starts, Farmer now finds himself on the bench for a second day in a row. The Rockies seem content to let Michael Toglia work through his struggles at the plate and aren't yet to ready to demote him to Triple-A Albuquerque, so despite a recent uptick in playing time, Farmer doesn't look like he'll take over as the team's everyday first baseman just yet.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said that Reynolds is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers after experiencing "a little tightness in the trunk" upon reporting to PNC Park, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Pittsburgh is seemingly viewing Reynolds as day-to-day, but if the issue ends up keeping him out of action beyond Sunday, a stint on the injured list could become a possibility. With Reynolds on the bench, Tommy Pham will pick up a start in the outfield in the series finale.

Hayes is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Hayes will be joined on the bench by Bryan Reynolds (torso) as the Pirates give two of their lineup regulars a breather for the day game after a night game. Jared Triolo will fill in for Hayes at third base.

Kelly was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds due to an illness, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

The 30-year-old homered after replacing an injured Miguel Amaya (oblique) in Saturday's contest, but Kelly will now sit out after falling ill at some point after that game. Reese McGuire, who joined the active roster Sunday when Amaya was placed on the injured list, will instead start behind the plate for the Cubs. Once he shakes off the illness, Kelly should see the bulk of the opportunities at catcher after he had previously been working in a timeshare with Amaya.

Busch is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Busch will sit for the third time in five games, with all of his absences coming against left-handed pitching. The Cubs appear to be viewing Busch as a pure platoon player, as he's logged just 25 plate appearances against lefties all season and is slashing just .143/.280/.190 in those matchups. Justin Turner will replace Busch at first base.

Bauers is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.

Though he'll be on the bench Sunday while the Pirates send southpaw Bailey Falter to the hill, Bauers seems to be the Brewers' preferred option in left field against right-handed pitching over the switch-hitting Isaac Collins. Bauers had started three of the last four matchups with righties, though he went just 1-for-11 with two walks and a stolen base during that stretch.

Steer is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Steer is in the midst of a 12-game hit streak, during which he's batting .357 (15-for-42) with five doubles and a homer, but he'll sit Sunday after starting the previous five contests. Connor Joe will take over at first base and bat eighth versus Chicago righty Ben Brown.

Stephenson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Stephenson started the previous six games but will take a seat Sunday after going 3-for-20 with two doubles, an RBI, three runs and 10 strikeouts during that stretch. Jose Trevino will step in behind the plate to catch for Nick Lodolo in the series finale.

The Cubs selected McGuire's contract from Triple-A Iowa, and he'll start behind the plate against the Reds on Sunday.

McGuire signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs in January and has spent the entire season at Iowa, slashing .282/.366/.465 with three home runs and two stolen bases in 21 games. He'll be joining the Cubs as a replacement for Miguel Amaya (oblique), who was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move. Carson Kelly will likely see the bulk of the playing time behind the dish for Chicago in Amaya's absence, though McGuire could be in store for a start or two per week.