MLB Player News

Bichette went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Dodgers.

The shortstop has seven hits in the last two games, boosting his slash line since the All-Star break up to .306/.358/.449. Bichette's 137 hits on the season leads the American League, with only Luis Arraez's 141 in Miami sitting ahead of him, but that's no surprise -- the 25-year-old also led the AL in hits in 2021 and 2022.

Story (elbow) started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with a double and was hit by a pitch for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Story, who moved up to the WooSox after playing three rehab games at Double-A Portland, has served in the field for three of the four rehab games thus far. Red Sox manager Alex Cora suggested Story could return to Boston this coming weekend, and MLB.com reports he'll start at shortstop immediately upon his activation from the injured list. It had been speculated that Story would initially serve as the designated hitter before playing the field.

Duran is starting at shortstop and batting second in Wednesday's game versus the Astros.

Travis Jankowski hit second in the first four games without Corey Seager (thumb) against right-handers, but with lefty Framber Valdez toeing the rubber Wednesday, it's Duran elevated to the two hole. It's the first time since June 14 that he's batted higher than sixth.

Diaz entered Tuesday's loss to the Giants as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and remained in the game at shortstop, going 1-for-1 with a run scored.

Diaz led off the eighth with a pinch-hit knock and ended up scoring the game-tying run on JJ Bleday's single later in the frame. The veteran infielder is carrying an abysmal .211/.263/.287 slash line on the season, but Diaz has enjoyed a reasonably productive July in comparison -- he's posted a .267 average and .636 OPS with two doubles and three RBI across 34 plate appearances during the month.

The Blue Jays acquired McCoy from the Mariners on Wednesday in exchange for Trent Thornton, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

McCoy, 28, is in his third full year at the Triple-A level in 2023, having put up a .737 OPS with 11 homers and 20 stolen bases at Tacoma. He's capable of playing every position but pitcher and catcher and will provide the Blue Jays with some utility depth at Triple-A Buffalo.

Smith (back) has progressed to running the bases at full speed and is close to beginning a rehab assignment, the team's official site reports.

Smith has been sidelined since mid-June with his back strain, and it appears he's finally on the precipice of jumping into game action. Given how long he's been on the shelf -- and the fact the 27-year-old was already struggling to the tune of a .191 average and .546 OPS before getting injured -- a fairly extensive rehab assignment is likely to ensure Smith's timing at the plate is as sharp as possible.

Arias may need season-ending surgery on his hand, John Brophy of PinstripedPros.com reports.

He dealt with a thumb injury last year in his first pro season, which affected his performance in the Dominican Summer League. Arias flashed his upside prior to this year's injury, slashing .267/.423/.505 with six home runs and 17 steals while walking (27) almost as much as he struck out (29) in 27 games. He turns 19 in September and should head to Single-A Tampa for his full-season debut in 2024.

Velazquez went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Detroit.

Velazquez is now 4-for-7 with a double and a home run in his last two games after going 0-for-11 over his previous 10 contests. It's been a nice run for the 29-year-old utilityman, though he isn't likely to provide much long-term value offensively -- he's now slashing .245/.339/.347 with one homer, one RBI, nine runs scored and nine stolen bases across 57 plate appearances this season. If Zach Neto (back) is forced to miss time, Velazquez should see regular playing time at shortstop.

Crawford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins after he fouled a ball off his right knee in Tuesday's 9-7 win, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Heading into the week, Seattle had been planning to hold Crawford out of the lineup Wednesday for rest purposes, but the shortstop's absence from the lineup for the series finale may be the result of a legitimate injury. Though Crawford didn't exit early after fouling the ball off himself in the top of the ninth inning, manager Scott Servais said that the 28-year-old was feeling sore after the game, according to the Associated Press. The Mariners have an off day Thursday, so Crawford will have the benefit of extra rest before Seattle returns to action Friday in Arizona.

Crawford is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Twins, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford will get a breather after he went 3-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored over the team's first two contests of the series. Dylan Moore will slot in at shortstop while Cade Marlowe enters the lineup in left field and bats seventh in the series finale with Minnesota.