Ohtani Start in Doubt
Los Angeles Angels two-way player Shohei Ohtani may not make his scheduled start on Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays. With Ohtani listed as the starter, the Angels are +104 while the Rays and Tyler Glasnow are -120.
Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the below on Sunday and was scheduled to be evaluated pre-game Monday. He did stay in the game after being hit by a 93 mph fastball. Ohtani stole two bases in the first inning after being hit but reported being sore after the game.
Ohtani has played in all 26 of the Angels games this season, even the day before and the day after he pitches. In the past, he took the day off before pitching. Should Ohtani be unable to go Monday, the Angels will either turn to a bullpen game or move Jose Quintana up from Tuesday’s start.
Ohtani stole two bases on Sunday and has six in the season. He and Babe Ruth are the only players in MLB history to have at least eight homers, six steals, and three games started as pitchers in the same season.
White Sox Suffer Again
The injury bug continues to hamper the Chicago White Sox, who started the season as AL Central favorites and in the top three favorites to win the pennant.
Having already lost outfielder Eloy Jimenez for a long stretch, the Sox saw center fielder Luis Robert go down on Sunday. The Gold Glove winner went down awkwardly while running out a ground ball and was helped off the field with what the team is calling a right hip flexor strain.
Robert appeared to stumble before hitting the bag, and he then tumbled into the right field grass. The X-rays were negative, and the Sox have the day off Monday. They will have Robert get an MRI before determining if a trip to the 10-day injured list is needed.
The 23-year-old is hitting .316 on the season with one home run, eight RBI, and 11 runs scored. After a slow start, he was 20-for-50 (.400) in his last 13 games before Sunday.
The White Sox are 15-12 on the season, 1 ½ games behind the Kansas City Royals in the AL Central. They head to Cincinnati for a two-game series before a weekend showdown in Kansas City. The White Sox are +1200 to win the World Series, +525 to win the pennant, and -165 to win the division.
Springer Exits Sunday Game
George Springer had the ultimate up and down weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays. After finally getting activated off the IL this week to make his Blue Jays debut, Springer hit two home runs on Saturday but left the game early on Sunday.
Manager Charlie Montoyo told reporters postgame that he didn’t think Springer did anything to reinjure his right quad. He indicated with the heat in Florida, and the lack of playing time this season that Springer was fatigued.
Springer grabbed at his quad while running out a grounder on Saturday but was still in the lineup Sunday. Before leaving in the sixth inning, he had struck out twice and grounded out, struggling up the line.
Springer launched two homers against the Braves on Saturday, one of those shots traveling 470 feet. In the three-game sweep of the Braves, Toronto scored 26 runs, with Springer as the designated hitter in all three games.
The Blue Jays now head to the west coast for 12 games in 13 days. They will face Oakland Monday to start the trip.
Steven Matz takes the ball Monday against Frankie Montas with the Blue Jays at +100.
Toronto is +400 to win the AL East and +900 to win the pennant.
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