MLB Player News

Arias is slashing .274/.426/.526 with six home runs, 14 steals and as many walks as strikeouts (25) in 25 Florida Complex League games.

A prized seven-figure signee in last year's international signing class, Arias is meeting or perhaps even exceeding expectations in his stateside debut. His 20.5 percent strikeout rate is perfectly adequate for an 18-year-old who is doing damage in the FCL, and he should get a bump to Single-A in the coming weeks.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said in an interview on SportsTalk 790 in Houston on Tuesday that Pena (hamstring) will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Colorado.

A hamstring cramp necessitated Pena's removal from Saturday's game versus the Angels and he didn't play Sunday. However, it looks like the shortstop is good to go following Monday's off day.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated that the club will announce Tuesday when Story (elbow) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

By all indications, Story is on the verge of playing in games in the minors. The big questions now are when, where exactly and for how long? It's possible Story will have to work his way up the ladder in the minor leagues, and he could potentially need close to the full 20 days afforded to him on the rehab assignment. Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow in January and the Red Sox need him to show he can throw well enough with that elbow to play in the field upon his return.

Duran went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Monday in a 3-2 win over the Rays.

Shane McClanahan dominated Texas for five innings before Duran provided a key turning point with his game-tying two-run shot off the Tampa Bay ace in the sixth. It was the emerging slugger's first hit since the All-Star break -- he had gone 0-for-7 with four strikeouts prior to that point. Duran is enjoying a very strong campaign overall, however, slashing .301/.336/.523 with 13 homers, 37 RBI, 38 runs and four steals over 73 contests.

Martinez was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Martinez owns a .226 batting average through 70 contests at Double-A New Hampshire, but he's gotten progressively better after a disastrous April (.089 average over 15 games), turning in a .280/.391/.480 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBI in 23 June matchups and a 7-for-19 start to July. As Matheson notes, it'll be worth keeping an eye on Marinez's playing time at the hot corner down the stretch of the regular season with Matt Chapman due to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign.

Baez is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Kansas City.

Baez has shown no signs of righting the ship so far in July, batting just .167/.186/.262. Zach McKinstry will handle shortstop Monday while Baez regroups.

Witt went 2-for-4 with a home run, a triple and three RBI in Sunday's 8-4 win over the Rays.

Witt knocked in a pair of runs with his second-inning triple and added the solo shot in the fifth. All four of his hits over the last three games have gone for extra bases, and he's on a seven-game hitting streak. The shortstop is slashing .259/.301/.463 with 16 long balls, 51 RBI, 50 runs scored and 27 stolen bases through 93 contests. He's also tied with Shohei Ohtani for the major-league lead with six triples.

Crawford went 3-for-3 with two doubles, a run scored and a walk in Sunday's win over Detroit.

Crawford doubled and scored in the first inning and later knocked his 20th double of the year. He'd been stuck in a 5-for-23 (.217) run since his last multi-hit game July 5, but he's still hitting .370 this month. Crawford improved his season slash line to .258/.368/.402 with 28 extra-base hits and 48 runs scored through 362 plate appearances.

Pena (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Angels.

Pena left Saturday's game after appearing to tweak something during his at-bat in the 10th inning. Manager Dusty Baker confirmed after the game that it's a hamstring issue for Pena, though he was optimistic that it was just a cramp, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Grae Kessinger will get a turn at shortstop with Pena banged up.

Witt went 2-for-8 with a solo home run and a double across both games of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Rays.

He's hit safely in 10 of 11 games in July, batting .357 with three homers, four stolen bases and nine RBI this month. It's another step forward after the talented shortstop had a strong June to offset his slower start to the season. Witt is slashing .257/.299/.449 with 15 homers, 27 steals, 48 RBI and 49 runs scored through 92 contests overall.