MLB Player News

Tolbert is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants.

Tolbert filled in at shortstop for an injured Bobby Witt (back) during Tuesday's 3-2 win, going 0-for-3 while committing an error. Though Witt was moved to the 10-day injured list Wednesday, the Royals will instead go with new call-up Andrew Velazquez at shortstop over Tolbert in the series finale. Given that Tolbert has produced an excellent .328/.364/.443 slash line over 69 plate appearances on the season, he could still be a better bet than Velazquez to serve as Witt's primary replacement for the duration of his IL stint.

The Royals selected Velazquez's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Wednesday. He'll start at shortstop and bat ninth in the Royals' series finale versus the Giants.

The 32-year-old utility player will return to the majors for the first time since the 2023 season, when he appeared in 54 games with the Angels. Velazquez has played both middle-infield positions and all three outfield spots during his time in the minors with the Royals and Diamondbacks organizations this season, but he could end up seeing most of his playing time at shortstop while he's up with Kansas City. He'll enter the starting nine right away at shortstop in place of Bobby Witt (back), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Along with Velazquez, Tyler Tolbert will also be in the mix for reps at shortstop while Witt is on the shelf.

The Royals placed Witt on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to low back tightness.

The durable Witt will go on the IL for the first time in his five-year career in the majors after he was held out of the lineup for Sunday's loss to the Padres due to the back issue and then aggravated the injury while returning to the starting nine for Monday's win over the Giants. The Royals haven't indicated that Witt's injury is any sort of long-term concern, so if he responds well to a week and a half of rest, he could be ready to come off the shelf when first eligible July 31. Tyler Tolbert and Andrew Velazquez are likely to share time at shortstop while Witt is out.

Duran started at shortstop and went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-0 win over the White Sox.

Duran, who's been filling in for injured shortstop Corey Seager (back), shifted to third base mid-game when Josh Jung (calf) was removed in the fourth inning. It sounds like Jung's injury is not serious -- he told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that he should be good to go Wednesday -- so Duran should move back to shortstop soon. Regardless of which position the versatile Duran plays, he should remain a regular in the middle of the batting order. He's posted a slash line of .268/.323/.433 with 10 home runs, 51 RBI, seven steals and 43 runs over 92 games.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

Pena led off the bottom of the first with a 405-foot blast off Tyler Phillips to give Houston an early 1-0 lead. It's the eighth homer of the season for Pena, who's now gone deep in back-to-back games. The shortstop has come out of the All-Star break hot, going 5-for-13 in four contests. Overall, Pena is slashing .293/.355/.452 with 40 runs scored, 27 RBI and eight steals across 231 plate appearances this season.

Wilson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a hit-by-pitch in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning loss to the Diamondbacks.

The Athletics were down to their final out when Wilson tied the game with a blast off Paul Sewald in the ninth inning. While the A's ultimately lost one inning later, Wilson was able to extend his hitting streak to nine games. He has gone 16-for-38 (.421) with three homers and six RBI in that span. For the season, the shortstop is batting .291 with a .748 OPS, seven homers, 32 RBI, 30 runs scored, 10 doubles, one triple and two stolen bases over 61 contests.

Crawford (wrist) is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Reds.

Crawford was scratched from Monday's lineup due to a sore left wrist. With the condition of his wrist still in question, he's remaining out Tuesday as Colt Emerson gets the start at shortstop while Weston Wilson starts at third base.

Manager Matt Quatraro said that Witt, who is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants, is still feeling "pretty stiff" as he continues to manage back spasms and tightness, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

The All-Star shortstop returned to the lineup Monday after missing one game due to lower-back tightness, but he was unable to finish the contest. Witt should be considered day-to-day for now, but it wouldn't be surprising if the Royals opt to give him a couple days off to recover since the injury is lingering. Tyler Tolbert is picking up a start at shortstop Tuesday for Kansas City.

Montgomery (shin) was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

After fouling a pitch off his right shin Monday against the Rangers, the 24-year-old shortstop was initially penciled in to start Tuesday's contest. Montgomery will instead miss at least one start due to the injury and should be considered day-to-day with the bruise.

Montgomery (shin) was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.

Montgomery was originally set to remain in the lineup Tuesday after fouling a ball off his right shin Monday, but he'll instead receive the day off to recover. Luisangel Acuna will fill in as Chicago's shortstop and bat eighth.