Shohei Ohtani, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last fall, has been ruled out for the three-game series vs. the Blue Jays this week, but he could return for the club's Mexico Series against the Astros that begins on Saturday in Monterrey. Ohtani began participating in simulated games last Wednesday and has garnered 15 plate appearances over that span. The Angels would like to see him get closer to 40 before he's activated from the injured list, which is why he'll be sidelined until the weekend.
The Rays called up first baseman Nate Lowe from Triple-A on Monday. Lowe, the team's No. 8 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, was named the Rays' Minor League Player of the Year last season after batting .330 with 27 home runs, 102 RBI and a .985 OPS across three Minor League levels. The 23-year-old was hitting .300 with three homers, 14 RBI and a .987 OPS in 21 games for Triple-A Durham this season at the time of his promotion. Infielder Christian Arroyo was optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move, and right-hander Andrew Moore was designated for assignment to make room for Lowe on the 40-man roster.
Yankees second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who has been playing through a bruised right knee, was removed from Sunday's game against the Giants in the third inning with right knee inflammation. He underwent an MRI on Monday which revealed inflammation in the joint but nothing more serious, so it's uncertain whether he will need to miss any additional time. Accordingly, fantasy owners in daily leagues should check back on Tuesday to see if he's in the lineup.
Orioles slugger Trey Mancini was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game Monday, but he should be back any day. Mancini, who has been out since Saturday with a bruised right index finger, expects to be back in the lineup as soon as Tuesday against the White Sox. Fantasy owners should check back on Tuesday before re-inserting him into their lineups, however, as manager Brandon Hyde says the team will be cautious with him due to the cooler temperatures in Chicago this week.
Twins slugger Miguel Sano is nearing a return to the big leagues, as he's expected to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Fort Myers on Tuesday, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said Monday. The plan is for Sano to begin in Fort Myers and make stops at both Double-A Pensacola and Triple-A Rochester prior to his reinstatement to the Major Leagues, meaning that his return to the majors will still take awhile. He will start by playing in partial games while splitting time between third base and designated hitter, then gradually ramp up to playing full games. Fantasy owners in deeper leagues should consider stashing him in anticipation of his arrival.
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