MLB Player News

McGonigle went 2-for-6 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the Pirates.

McGonigle snapped a mini 0-for-7 slump over his last two games with a solid performance that included his 13th home run of the season. Three of those long balls have come in 14 contests this month, and the youngster has been showing more power overall as the year has gone along, as he had just three homers through the end of May. McGonigle has had a great debut campaign so far and seems well on his way to winning the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Witt went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, a walk, a stolen base and three additional runs scored in Monday's 9-5 win over the Athletics.

The Athletics couldn't contain Witt, who crossed the plate a season-high four times Monday. Even with the Royals playing out the final stretch of a losing season, the superstar shortstop is looking to close out the campaign on a high note. Since coming off the injured list, Witt is batting .340 with two homers, four doubles, seven RBI and three stolen bases over his last 50 at-bats.

Wilson was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Royals due to shoulder soreness.

Wilson was cleared to return Sunday from a one-game absence due to swelling in his left pinkie finger. The 24-year-old is now working through a shoulder issue, prompting the Athletics to replace Wilson with Alika Williams at shortstop while moving Henry Bolte to the second spot in the lineup.

Story (sports hernia) said that he could be reinstated from the 60-day injured list as soon as Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Story has been on the shelf since May 16 following sports hernia surgery, but he's finally nearing the finish line of what's been a lengthy recovery process. He kicked off a rehab assignment Sunday at Triple-A Worcester and went 1-for-2 at the dish while playing four innings at shortstop. Story is scheduled to play for Worcester on consecutive days Tuesday and Wednesday before rejoining the Red Sox for a re-evaluation. If the Red Sox medical staff is satisfied with Story's health, he could get the green light to return to action for the big club during their weekend series with the Giants. Once activated, Story will likely usurp Andruw Monasterio as the Red Sox's preferred option at shortstop.

Montgomery is not in the lineup for Monday's game versus the Cubs.

Montgomery had made 19 straight starts, but he's managed a lowly .539 OPS with a 39.3 percent strikeout rate over that span. With a lefty in Shota Imanaga on the hill for the Cubs, the left-handed-hitting Montgomery will get a day to regroup. Luisangel Acuna will cover shortstop for the White Sox.

Walls is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Walls is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, but he'll put it on hold for a night as the Rays give him some rest. Jorge Mateo will step in at shortstop in place of Walls, who is still slashing just .240/.296/.360 since the All-Star break in spite of his recent hot stretch at the dish.

Gimenez went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base in Sunday's loss to the Yankees.

The steal was Gimenez's 17th of the season, and five of them have come in August -- a month in which he's produced a .296/.361/.407 slash line with one homer, eight runs and eight RBI in 16 contests. The veteran infielder is still batting in the lower part of the order, but if he stays hot he could get some looks in a more fantasy-friendly spot as the Jays search for offense while Vladimir Guerrero (concussion) is on the shelf.

Story (sports hernia) started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with a run scored for Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.

Story played four innings in the field and handled the lone chance that came his way. Following a day off Monday, Story will join the WooSox for a trip to Syracuse and start at shortstop Tuesday. The Red Sox haven't mapped out anything beyond that, and interim manager Chad Tracy confirmed Story won't play any position other than shortstop. Utility infielder Andruw Monasterio has held down shortstop nicely over the last month, but the Red Sox did not add an established shortstop at the trade deadline, suggesting Story, who played second base when he first signed with Boston, can reclaim the position he's play the most during his career.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Mariners.

Pena got the Astros on the board in the fourth inning with a solo shot off Bryan Woo, his 14th homer of the year, to cut the deficit to 2-1. While Pena now has three extra-base hits in his last four games, he's cooled off significantly at the plate, going just 4-for-43 (.093) across 10 contests prior to Sunday after going 27-for-64 (.422) with seven homers in his previous 15 games. Overall, Pena is now slashing .288/.343/.477 with 59 runs scored, 40 RBI and eight stolen bases across 335 plate appearances this season.

Witt went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 3-0 win over the Angels.

Witt's lone hit was a loud one, as he launched a solo homer into the left-field seats to extend the Royals' lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning. Since returning from a stint on the injured list due to lower-back tightness, the star shortstop has slashed .304/.385/.435 with a homer, four RBI, 12 runs and two stolen bases across 12 contests. In total, Witt is hitting .282/.354/.448 with 14 homers, 43 RBI, 63 runs and 32 stolen bases in 106 games.