MLB Player News

Story started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a steal and a run scored in Friday's 5-2 win over Detroit.

Story had his first multi-hit game and steal since being activated off the injured list earlier this week. After fanning six times over his first eight plate appearances, Story is 3-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout since.

Duran started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Duran was hit on the hand during Wednesday's game but stayed in the contest after being attended to by trainers. That he was able to go Friday indicates no lingering effects.

Smith started at third base and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 win over San Francisco.

Smith made a second straight start at the hot corner, as the Rangers navigate life without rookie third baseman Josh Jung (thumb). He'll be out until some point in September after undergoing thumb surgery this week. Ezequiel Duran and Smith are sharing third base until Jung becomes available. While Duran's season numbers trump Smith's by a wide margin, the former has slumped since the All-Star break with a .162 average and .524 OPS.

Allen went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.

The slick-fielding shortstop extended his hitting streak to a modest five games while also swiping a bag for the third straight game. Allen is still trying to prove he can contribute with his bat in the majors, and over his last 10 games he's batting .303 (10-for-33) with two homers, three steals, four runs and five RBI -- a massive improvement on his career .206/.253/.286 slash line in roughly a season's worth of playing time with the A's over the last two years.

Witt went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Witt is up to 21 home runs and 70 RBI on the season to go along with 34 steals. Since the beginning of July, the young shortstop has a .331 average, nine home runs, 32 RBI, 18 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Witt has been extremely productive despite the fact the Royals are on pace to finish with more than 100 losses for the third time in six seasons.

Pena went 3-for-4 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's victory over the Angels.

Pena has been demoted to the bottom third of the Astros lineup in five of his last six games, but this performance marks his fourth multi-hit effort in his last 10 games. After bottoming out with a .205 average and only one home run in July, Pena has responded with 12 hits and seven walks in 43 plate appearances thus far in August. His glove keeps him in the lineup, and continued production like this will help return him to the top of a potent Astros lineup.

Franco walloped a walk-off home run in Friday's 9-8 victory over the Guardians.

The Rays' bullpen blew a three-run lead in the top of the ninth inning, but Franco saved their bacon by depositing Nick Sandlin's third pitch of the bottom of the frame over the right-field wall. It was the first walk-off home run of Franco's young career. He also added two singles, a walk and his 30th stolen base of the season in this one. Now with 17 long balls on the year, Franco has an excellent shot at a 20-30 campaign.

Crawford was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Friday, retroactive to Aug. 10, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Crawford has officially been diagnosed with a concussion following his collision Wednesday with teammate Eugenio Suarez. The 28-year-old shortstop is enjoying a mini breakout this season, having registered a .266/.379/.411 batting line and a career-high 10 home runs through 107 games. He'll be first eligible to return to the Mariners next Sunday, but head injuries never come with a predictable recovery timeline. Jose Caballero and Dylan Moore will likely be the fill-in options at short.

Chang cleared waivers Friday and was sent outright to Triple-A Worcester, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Chang was designated for assignment Tuesday to clear room for Trevor Story, and he will remain with the Red Sox organization after going unclaimed. The 27-year-old infielder slashed just .162/.200/.352 across 112 plate appearances with Boston and is unlikely to make it back to the majors this season.

Rocchio went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jays.

Rocchio's two doubles each knocked in a run. The infield prospect has been in the lineup regularly at shortstop lately with Gabriel Arias seeing more time at first base since Josh Naylor (oblique) and David Fry (hamstring) went on the injured list. Over 41 plate appearances this season, Rocchio has hit .275 with a .668 OPS, four doubles, three RBI and four runs scored. It's possible Rocchio could go back to splitting time at shortstop with Arias once the Guardians' lineup is healthier.