Angels' Shohei Ohtani shut down as pitcher, day-to-day as DH  —  Shohei Ohtani has a grade 1-2 strain of the flexor pronator mass near his surgically repaired elbow and will cease pitching for the foreseeable future, the Los Angeles Angels announced on Monday.

Mets' Yoenis Cespedes Opts Out of 2020 Season  —  Cespedes had failed to show up to the ballpark in Atlanta for the Mets' game against the Braves on Sunday, and the team did not know his whereabouts.  After the game, it announced his decision to opt out.  —  Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes …

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says ‘we are playing’ but ‘players need to be better’  —  Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred remains confident the 2020 season can continue, telling ESPN's Karl Ravech on Saturday that “there is no reason to quit now” despite positive coronavirus tests …

Mike Soroka Helped Off Field With Lower-Leg Injury  —  Braves starter Mike Soroka had to be helped off of the field after suffering an evident injury.  He was attempting to cover first base when he came up limping and ultimately could not bear weight on his right leg.

Joey Votto placed on the injured list after reporting COVID-19 symptoms  —  Joey Votto was placed on the injury list without a designation before Sunday's doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, which signals it's related to COVID-19 symptoms.  —  Votto self-reported symptoms …

Game #10 Observations: Offense Still Searching, Civale's Outing Means Little as Indians Fall to 5-5 After 3-1 Loss to Twins  —  The Indians four-game set with the Minnesota Twins started with a bang with the efforts of starting pitcher Shane Bieber, but ended with a whimper …

White Sox Activate Nomar Mazara  —  The White Sox announced Monday that they've activated right fielder Nomar Mazara for his season debut.  In a pair of corresponding moves, catcher Yermin Mercedes was optioned to their alternate training site and right-hander Jimmy Lambert was placed on the 45-day injured list.

MLB To Cancel Field Of Dreams Game  —  Major League Baseball has decided to cancel the “Field of Dreams Game” it had previously scheduled for August 13.  The Cardinals and White Sox were supposed to square off in the famed Iowa cornfield.  —  The Cardinals are currently waiting to see just how bad …

Rays' Kevan Smith on injured list, being tested for COVID-19  —  Brendan McKay rejoins workouts in Port Charlotte after positive test sidelined him 3 1/2 weeks.  —  Rays catcher Kevan Smith was placed on the injured list prior to Saturday's game in Baltimore after feeling lightheaded …

Lorenzo Cain Opts Out Of 2020 Season  —  Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain has opted out of the rest of the 2020 season, according to a team press release.  President of baseball operations David Stearns commented on the situation in the release, saying “Lorenzo Cain has informed us …