MLB Player News

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has declared himself fine after taking an 89 mph changeup to the earpiece of his helmet Friday night. He wasn't blaming Seattle ace Felix Hernandez for the errant pitch.

"He's 0-2 and it probably slipped in his hand but it wasn't intentional," Bogaerts told ESPN. "You don't want to get hit in your head, obviously, but I got hit pretty good and thank God I'm OK right now."

Indians infielder Zach Walters continues to make his impact felt, as he homered for the third straight game in a 5-1 loss to the Astros Friday.

Walters had just one hit in the game, going 1 for 3 with a solo home run. He now has eight home runs  in 75 at-bats for the season, including five in 10 games since joining the Indians. 

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is not in the lineup Saturday against the Mariners, one day after he was hit by a pitch in the head. At this point, it is not clear what the nature of the issue is, but he will likely be re-evaluated throughout the day, with an update expected later.  

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts left Friday's game after being hit in the head by a pitch.

Bogaerts was hit in the head while up to bat in the fifth inning. Trainers looked at Bogaerts following the play, but he managed to stay in the game. Bogaerts actually stayed in through the following inning, but was pulled at the beginning of the seventh. He will be evaluated for a concussion. Bogaerts was 0 for 1 with a strikeout before leaving the game. 

For the fourth time with the Indians and the seventh time in 72 big-league at-bats this year, Zach Walters homered Thursday. And judging by his 29 homers in 487 at-bats at Triple-A last year and his 17 homers in 268 at-bats at Triple-A this year, it's something he'll continue to do.

Though he's been playing DH for the Indians, Walters' most important attribute is that he's eligible at shortstop. Offensive production as a whole is scarce at the position, and power hitting especially.

So it's a match made in Fantasy heaven, at least in theory -- the same one that had Fantasy owners flocking to Javier Baez upon his arrival.

But while Baez has long been touted as a face-of-the-franchise type, Walters was just a spare part for the Nationals -- one easily expended at the trade deadline. While the disparity no doubt says something about Walters' upside, it may say even more about his downside. Quite simply, his shortcomings may prove to be more than he can overcome.

He's a swing-at-anything type, striking out more than 100 times more than he walked at Triple-A last year. He hit only .253 as a result, which doesn't bode well for his chances in the majors. If you need cheap homers, he's a sneaky way to get them out of a middle infield spot. Just don't expect much more than a .200 batting average from him.

Indians infielder Zach Walters continued his home run binge Thursday against the Twins. 

Walters struck in the fifth inning. He took an 89 mph cutter from Phil Hughes out to right for the solo shot. He finished 1 for 3, with one run scored and one RBI. Walters struck out in his other two at-bats. Walters has now homered in four of his last eight games.

Indians infielder Zach Walters hit his sixth home run Wednesday against the Twins.

Walters went deep in his first at-bat of the game. He belted an 82 mph splitter on the first pitch he saw from Ricky Nolasco. Walters finished 1 for 4, with one run scored and one RBI. Walters has now homered in three of his last seven games. 

The Indians recalled outfielder Tyler Holt and infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Columbus. Holt batted .306 with two homers and 31 steals at Columbus, while Walters hit .310 with 17 homers and 56 RBI at the Triple-A level.

The Red Sox will recall Will Middlebrooks Triple-A Pawtucket prior to Friday's game against the Yankees. He is expected to serve as the everyday third baseman, shifting Xander Bogaerts to shortstop moving forward, MassLive.com reports.

The Indians have announced a pair of roster moves prior to Thursday's home game against the Mariners. They recalled right-hander Austin Adams and optioned infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Columbus.