All articles tagged with #designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani was scratched with an inflamed knee and will not travel to Philadelphia for the All-Star Game, remaining as the Dodgers' DH; Ivan Herrera replaces him on the NL roster and Kyle Schwarber will start at DH, while Ohtani's Cy Young bid takes a hit despite a strong season that has included his 300th homer.
Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani will not pitch this week due to a lingering left knee irritation and will skip the All-Star Game to protect his health; he’ll remain in the lineup as the designated hitter over the weekend, with the knee to be drained (and likely injected) Sunday, as Los Angeles aims for October readiness and adjusts the rotation for the second half.
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has been scratched from Friday’s start and will skip the All-Star Game due to a lingering left knee issue. He will undergo knee drainage with an injection likely afterward and will serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter for the weekend. Kyle Hurt will start Friday’s game in his place, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto slated to start Saturday. Ohtani’s NL All-Star designation remains, but his availability for the game is uncertain as Dodgers stars Freeman, Muncy and Pages plan to attend.
Ohtani continues to redefine two-way baseball, delivering a leadoff home run and posting a 0.73 ERA through eight starts, while the Ohtani Rule lets him stay in the lineup as his own DH and Dodgers employ strategic load management to maximize his historic production.
Dodgers should keep Shohei Ohtani in the lineup as a hitter on days he starts pitching, arguing his two-way value boosts their offense and playoff potential; while soreness may push him to DH in some spots, sitting him would blunt their best chance in October.
The Toronto Blue Jays placed George Springer on the 10-day injured list with a fracture in his left big toe, promoting Eloy Jimenez to take his roster spot. Jimenez will serve as the designated hitter (and could see time at first base) while Springer recovers, with manager John Schneider noting the move is precautionary and could be a minimal 10-day absence for the veteran.
San Diego signed Nick Castellanos to a league-minimum MLB deal, adding a veteran right-handed bat who could split first-base duties with Gavin Sheets and serve as a DH/backup outfielder, with Laureano in left and an open 40-man roster slot delaying any immediate moves; Castellanos will try to rebound after a disappointing Phillies tenure marked by defensive struggles and clubhouse tensions.
The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with Marcell Ozuna (pending a physical), adding a right-handed bat to bolster the lineup. Ozuna will earn $10.5 million in 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout on a $16 million mutual option for 2027. The 35-year-old had a down 2025 season (.232/.355/.400, 21 HR) hampered by a hip injury and declining bat speed, but Pittsburgh hopes he can produce as a designated hitter. The move pushes payroll to about $105 million, reshapes the lineup with Ozuna, O’Hearn, Lowe and Horwitz, and effectively ends Andrew McCutchen’s Pirates tenure while boosting odds for a wild-card push.
With Luis Arraez departing for the Giants on a one-year deal, Gavin Sheets is positioned to take San Diego’s first-base job in 2026. He hit .252/.317/.429 with 19 homers in 145 games last season, but his outfield defense was poor; a move back to first could boost his value and help enable a more flexible DH mix. The Padres are weighing a platoon partner for Sheets and have added options like Sung-Mun Song and Will Wagner for the DH role, potentially resting regulars such as Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. Meanwhile, GM AJ Preller’s contract extension remains unsettled amid reported tensions with club leadership, even as he has steered the team through a successful run in recent years.
Seiya Suzuki's agent, Joel Wolfe, has expressed dissatisfaction with Suzuki's role as a designated hitter for the Chicago Cubs, suggesting that Suzuki would be open to a trade if it meant playing in the field. Despite Suzuki's strong performance as a DH, he prefers not to be limited to that role, and the Cubs have not committed to making him a full-time DH for the 2025 season. While a trade isn't certain due to Suzuki's no-trade clause, the Cubs are exploring options to improve their roster, which could include trading Suzuki if an irresistible offer arises.
Juan Soto, a standout hitter and Gold Glove finalist, is being considered by the Boston Red Sox primarily as a designated hitter due to his average fielding skills. Despite his defensive limitations, Soto's exceptional batting prowess, highlighted by a career 160 OPS+ and 36.4 WAR, makes him a highly sought-after player likely to secure a $600 million contract. While teams like the Yankees and Mets are interested, the Red Sox see him fitting seamlessly into their lineup, potentially transitioning to a DH role in the future.
Marcell Ozuna has been on a hitting streak since May 2023, following a rough start in April. His impressive offensive performance has made him a key player for the Atlanta Braves, with 43 home runs and 111 RBIs since May 1. Despite serving exclusively as a designated hitter, Ozuna's revival has been a significant boost for the team, and his supportive attitude has also helped teammates improve their performance.
J.D. Martinez finalized a $12 million, one-year contract with the New York Mets, but will take it slow to get ready for the season due to back and groin problems. The 36-year-old designated hitter, who hit .271 with 33 homers and 103 RBIs in 113 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, won't be available for Opening Day and will need at least 15 days to prepare. His signing led to the Mets designating right-hander Phil Bickford for assignment, and he is expected to slot into the middle of the Mets' lineup alongside Pete Alonso.
The New York Mets have reached a one-year, $12 million deal with designated hitter J.D. Martinez, pending a physical, providing a power source for their lineup alongside Pete Alonso at a discounted rate. Martinez's bounce-back All-Star season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023 led to this agreement, as the Mets sought to mitigate luxury tax penalties. The 36-year-old veteran, known for his hitting prowess, will bring his career .287 batting average to the Mets after the Dodgers opted for a one-year commitment and signed Shohei Ohtani.
J.D. Martinez, the best designated hitter in the free agent market, signed a 1-year, $12 million deal with the New York Mets, pending a physical. The Mets identified Martinez as a target early in the offseason and finally secured him at a favorable price. Martinez, known for his power hitting, will provide a much-needed offensive boost to the Mets' lineup. Despite his age and injury concerns, Martinez's hitting prowess and track record make him a valuable addition to the team.