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LeBron James led the Lakers with 28 points (8-of-19 FGs, 9-of-10 FTs), seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, three three-pointers and six turnovers in a 136-120 loss to the Thunder on Tuesday.
After only scoring 19 points in a blowout win over the Thunder on Sunday, James had more success in the rematch two days later. Unfortunately, the result was the opposite, as the Lakers weren’t able to get a third-straight win. The Lakers still need to win more games to maintain the No. 3 seed in the West, so expected LeBron to be available for their final three games. That includes the second night of this back-to-back, which will be Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas.
Leody Taveras is in right field and batting seventh on Monday against the Yankees.
Taveras has made four consecutive starts for Seattle in right field since being claimed off waivers last week from the division-rival Rangers. The 26-year-old appears poised to continue playing everyday, but hasn’t made much of an impact at the dish so far, hitting .214 (3-for-14) with three RBI and one steal.
Adael Amador is at second base and batting eighth on Monday against the Rangers.
Amador is hitting just .173 (9-for-52) with one homer, three RBI and one steal in 20 games this season at the highest level. Unfortunately, the Rockies don’t have a viable alternative at the position until Ezequiel Tovar (hip) returns from the injured list, which would likely push Kyle Farmer back to second base.
Tommy Pham will serve a one-game suspension during Monday’s game against the Cardinals.
Pham was handed a one-game suspension by the league back in late April when he made “inappropriate actions towards fans.” Use your imagination. The 37-year-old should return to Pittsburgh’s lineup on Tuesday night.
Joey Ortiz is not in the lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Guardians.
Ortiz receives his first day off since April 22 after making 18 consecutive starts. The 26-year-old speedster has gotten off to a brutal start at the plate this season, hitting .176/.233/.228 with one homer, six RBI and four steals through 40 games. His 86.4 mph average exit velocity represents the fifth-worst mark among qualified hitters this season. It’ll be Andruw Monasterio filling in at shortstop on Monday evening.
Luis Torrens (groin) is not in the lineup for Monday’s game against the Pirates.
Torrens is feeling better after taking a foul ball to the groin area during Sunday’s showdown against the Cubs. He’ll get some extra time to continue resting and recovering with Francisco Alvarez handling the catching duties during Monday’s series opener at Citi Field.
Brandon Woodruff (shoulder, ankle) will make another minor league rehab start before his season debut.
Woodruff was limited to just 39 pitches during Sunday’s minor league rehab start for Triple-A Nashville and will undergo treatment this week for right ankle tendinitis. He’s been pulled off his rehab assignment for the next couple days and will make another appearance for one of Milwaukee’s minor league affiliates before he’s cleared for his season debut. At this point, it’s challenging to envision him returning until the very end of May or early June.