MLB Player News

Ohtani went 1-for-3 with a run, an RBI, two walks and two stolen bases Friday in a 4-3 extra-innings victory versus Atlanta.

Ohtani's first theft came in the third inning, and it led to Los Angeles' first run, as Will Smith followed with a two-out RBI single. It looked like Ohtani would be picked off in the eighth frame, but Matt Olson mishandled the throw to first base, allowing the Japanese superstar to make it to second base safely. Ohtani later came up with a huge hit in the bottom of the 10th, stroking a one-out single to center field to plate the tying run after Atlanta had scored in the top of the frame. Ohtani continues to put up big numbers for the Dodgers and for fantasy managers, as he's slashing .336/.405/.612 with seven homers, 20 RBI, 26 runs and seven steals (in seven attempts) through 153 plate appearances.

Machado went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a walk Friday in a 7-1 victory versus Arizona.

Machado accounted for the Padres' final two runs in the victory with his fifth-inning blast. The homer extended his hitting streak to five games, though he's notched exactly one hit in each contest and is batting just .238 during that stretch. Machado does have six RBI during the hitting streak, though, which is more than he had accumulated in his previous 20 games combined.

The Cubs optioned Mervis to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

Mervis was called up to the big club April 23 after a strong start in Triple-A, where he slashed .288/.402/.606 with six doubles, five home runs and 13 RBI over 82 plate appearances with Iowa. That hasn't translated to the majors, as he's gone 3-for-26 with three RBI and eight strikeouts over nine games, and manager Craig Counsell noted that Mervis needs to go "back to the drawing board" in Triple-A, per Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. The Cubs called up infielder Miles Mastrobuoni in a corresponding move.

Pederson started at designated hitter and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Padres.

Pederson had one of Arizona's three hits, a leadoff double in the fifth inning, and came in to score the team's lone run on a Eugenio Suarez single. Pederson leads the Diamondbacks in average (.318), on-base percentage (.447) and slugging (.515), but he's not an everyday starter. He serves as the primary DH against right-handers and has just four plate appearances against southpaws.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Friday that Sanchez (hamstring) is not yet 100 percent but is "good to go" and will be available off the bench, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Eric Haase is on the Brewers' taxi squad just in case, but it doesn't appear at this point that the team plans to add him to the active roster. Sanchez had to be removed from Tuesday's game against the Rays with right hamstring tightness, but it sounds like he could pinch hit Friday, if needed.

Carpenter (oblique) has been sent to Double-A Springfield to begin a rehab assignment.

What would have been Carpenter's first rehab game was rained out Thursday, but he's been cleared for game action after missing the last month with a right oblique strain. It's not clear how many rehab at-bats the 38-year-old will need before being activated. Once he does return, he'll give the Cardinals another option at designated hitter.

Mervis is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mets.

Patrick Wisdom will get the nod at designated hitter while Mervis sits for the second time in three games. Mervis has still started in seven of the Cubs' last 10 games overall, but he's gone just 3-for-23 with one walk over that stretch. The 26-year-old could soon be at risk of a demotion to Triple-A Iowa if he doesn't turn things around in the near future.

Martinez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cubs.

Martinez has been given one day off in each of his first two series since joining the Mets as the club eases him back into action. That plan could continue for a bit longer before he assumes everyday duties at designated hitter. DJ Stewart will serve as the Mets' DH on Thursday.

Martini went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 6-2 loss to San Diego.

Martini is hitless in 10 at-bats and 4-for-41 (.098) over the last 13 games. He's been a regular in the lineup against right-handers but is hitting just .170 against them.

Bryant (back) has still not been cleared to return to baseball activity, MLB.com reports.

Bryant has been ramping up his activity but still is not cleared to swing a bat. He hopes to take the next step in his recovery soon, but he remains without a clear timeline to return to the field.