MLB Player News
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Hitting bench Wednesday
Baez is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians.
After coming off the 10-day injured list Monday, Baez started at shortstop in both of the first two contests of the series, going 1-for-6 with a double between the two contests. Though he's expected to see the bulk of the starts at shortstop now that he's healthy again, Baez will give way Wednesday to utility man Zach McKinstry.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Goes on restricted list
The Rays will place Franco (personal) on the restricted list Wednesday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Franco had previously spent the entirety of the season on administrative leave, but MLB granted the Rays' request to move the 23-year-old to the restricted list after he had charges formally filed against him by prosecutors in the Dominican Republic on Tuesday. According to Marc Topkin and Juan Carlos Chavez of the Tampa Bay Times, Franco faces charges of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of a minor as well as human trafficking, the latter of which carries a 15-to-20-year prison term if convicted. Major League Baseball isn't expected to issue any disciplinary action for Franco until the legal process is completed, but he won't accrue MLB service time or receive a salary while he's on the restricted list.
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David Hamilton SS | BOS
Red Sox's David Hamilton: Out against left-hander
Hamilton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Athletics, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Jamie Westbrook and Ceddanne Rafaela will serve as the Red Sox's starters in the middle infield while the lefty-hitting Hamilton sits against southpaw JP Sears. Hamilton should continue to serve as Boston's primary option at second base against right-handers with Enmanuel Valdez having been optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
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Max Schuemann 2B | ATH
Athletics' Max Schuemann: Grabs eighth steal Tuesday
Schuemann went 1-for-3 with a stolen base and a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Tuesday.
The rookie extended his on-base streak to seven games, a stretch during which he's cobbled together an impressive .350 average and 1.130 OPS, along with three of his eight steals on the season. Schuemann has a modest four-game hitting streak going as well, pushing his improving season slash line to .236/.329/.347 across 234 plate appearances.
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Paul DeJong SS | NYY
White Sox's Paul DeJong: Drawing start at third base
DeJong will start at third base and bat seventh in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Twins.
DeJong played plenty of third base in the minors, but he'll be making his first start at the hot corner at the major-league level. Meanwhile, Nicky Lopez is at shortstop and Lenyn Sosa is at second base. Seemingly, the shakeup is tied to Yoan Moncada (adductor) beginning a rehab assignment this week, as Sosa could see more reps at second base once Moncada returns from the 60-day injured list.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Formally charged
Franco was formally charged Tuesday in the Dominican Republic with sexual abuse and sexual exploitation against a minor and human trafficking, Juan Arturo Recio of ESPN.com.do reports.
Prior to the start of the regular season, the Rays placed Franco on administrative leave and later extended his stay until Sunday, but his term will likely be extended indefinitely once again while the legal process plays out. If convicted on the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation charge, Franco could face 1-to-5 years in prison, while the human trafficking charge carries a maximum 20-year sentence.
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Yoeilin Cespedes SS | BOS
Red Sox's Yoeilin Cespedes: Diagnosed with broken bone
Single-A Salem placed Cespedes on the 7-day injured list Wednesday with a broken hamate bone in his left hand that will likely require surgery, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Cespedes was recently promoted from the rookie-level Florida Complex League to Salem but experienced soreness in the hand before he could make his debut for the full-season affiliate. The issue lingered, and testing revealed the hamate fracture. If Cespedes opts for surgery, he could be at risk of missing the rest of the season. Recovery from hamate bone surgery typically requires 6-to-8 weeks, and Salem's season ends the first week of September. He had been one of the standout performers in the organization this season, raising his profile significantly.
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Corey Seager SS | TEX
Rangers' Corey Seager: Continues offensive surge
Seager went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, an additional run and a double in Monday's 9-4 win against the Angels.
Seager helped Texas get off to a fast start with his massive 457-foot, two-run blast in the first frame. The shortstop added a double in the seventh for his third straight multi-hit effort. Seager also extended his overall hitting streak to 13 games, and during that stretch he's batting .373 (19-for-51) with three homers, seven doubles, 10 RBI, nine runs and a stolen base.