MLB Player News
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Nick Allen SS | HOU
Athletics' Nick Allen: Hits bench for series finale
Allen is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.
Allen started at shortstop in each of the previous three games but went just 1-for-10 with a walk and three strikeouts, dropping his season-long slash line to .105/.171/.132 across 43 plate appearances. Though he's been serving as the Athletics' primary shortstop while Aledmys Diaz (hamstring) has been on the shelf, Allen could be in danger of losing that role in light of his deep struggles at the plate. Kevin Smith will replace Allen in Wednesday's contest.
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Bo Bichette 3B | NYM
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Clubs eighth homer
Bichette went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run and two RBI in Tuesday's 8-4 loss to the Phillies.
He was one of the few Jays to have much success against Aaron Nola on the night, launching a solo shot off the right-hander in the sixth inning. Bichette has five multi-hit performances in his last nine games, batting a blistering .375 (15-for-40) over that stretch to boost his slash line on the season to .331/.372/.545 with eight homers, 24 RBI and 26 runs in 36 contests. The only disappointing element of his production so far has been his 1-for-3 showing on steal attempts.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Starts in left field
Smith started in left field and went 2-for-3 with a double in Tuesday's 5-0 loss to Seattle.
The Rangers placed primary left fielder Travis Jankowski (hamstring) on the injured list Tuesday, which opened a lane to at-bats for Smith and Robbie Grossman. Smith had been part of the fill-in solution at shortstop while Corey Seager (hamstring) works his way back, but the suddenly hot Ezequiel Duran has since taken over as the primary substitute there.
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Zachary Neto SS | LAA
Angels' Zach Neto: Cranks first career homer
Neto went 1-for-3 with a home run in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to the Astros.
Neto drilled a sinker from Framber Valdez over the right-field wall for his first big fly in the majors. The rookie produced the only offense of the night for Angels, as they couldn't give Shohei Ohtani significant run support in a pitcher's duel. Neto has a .663 OPS in his first 78 at bats.
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Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Homer, steal in loss
Franco went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Tuesday's loss against the Orioles.
Franco opened the scoring Tuesday with a solo homer in the first inning. The long ball was Franco's seventh of the year, matching his career high in just 137 at-bats this season. The 22-year-old shortstop would later swipe his ninth base, setting another new personal best. Franco has been on a tear, going 13-for-36 with three home runs and four stolen bases in his last nine games. He's now slashing .310/.365/.556 with 22 RBI and 23 runs scored through 156 plate appearances this season.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Expected to return Wednesday
Crawford (knee) told reporters before Tuesday's game against the Rangers that he expects to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game against Texas, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Crawford mentioned that the swelling and soreness in his left knee resulting from a ball he fouled off himself Sunday made fielding groundballs a "little uncomfortable." The shortstop will miss at least one more game while completing his recovery, but he seemingly has a good chance of returning Wednesday as long as there are no setbacks.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Out again Tuesday
Crawford (knee) is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rangers.
Crawford will take another day off while dealing with discomfort in his left knee. Jose Caballero gets another start at shortstop and will hit eighth against Andrew Heaney and the Rangers.
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Tim Anderson 2B | LAA
White Sox's Tim Anderson: Not in lineup
Anderson is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Kansas City.
It would appear to be a regular day of rest for the star shortstop. Elvis Andrus will shift over to short Tuesday and Lenyn Sosa will get a start at second base.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Swipes two bags in win
Witt went 2-for-5 with a run and two stolen bases Monday in a 12-5 victory versus the White Sox.
Witt continued his strong hitting from atop the order, extending his modest hit streak to six games with a pair of singles. He added two thefts, bringing his season total to 10. Witt is one of 10 major-leaguers to reach double-digit thefts thus far, and he's added six homers, 15 RBI, 23 runs and a .240/.279/.438 slash line through 154 plate appearances.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Scratched with knee discomfort
Crawford was scratched from the lineup against the Rangers on Monday with knee discomfort, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Crawford fouled a ball off his knee during Sunday's win over the Astros, and after trying to work through it in pregame workouts the shortstop will take a seat. Jose Caballero will play shortstop against Texas on Monday with Kolten Wong (wrist) returning to the lineup to play second base.