MLB Player News

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.

Volpe went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Mets.

The rookie shortstop did a little bit of everything, including making his 10th error of the season. Volpe hasn't had a multi-hit performance since July 3, slashing a woeful .130/.203/.278 in 16 games since then with two of his 13 homers and two of his 18 steals on the season.

Bichette went 4-for-6 with a two-run home run and a double in Tuesday's 8-7 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays tallied 12 hits as a team, but Bichette was the only Toronto batter with multiple hits. It was a big game for the shortstop, who entered Tuesday stuck in an 0-for-18 slump. He's back up to a .312/.344/.490 slash line with 17 homers, 56 RBI, 48 runs scored, three stolen bases, 23 doubles and a triple through 101 contests.

Neto (back) was scratched from the Angels' lineup Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

He had been slated to return to action following a two-game absence with a back issue, but manager Phil Nevin decided to give the rookie one more day. Neto is expected back Wednesday, but Andrew Velazquez will enter the lineup at shortstop Tuesday and Luis Rengifo will move up to the leadoff spot.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday wouldn't rule out a return this weekend for Story (elbow) if the shortstop says he's ready, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story is currently slated to play shortstop Tuesday, serve as the designated hitter Wednesday and then return to shortstop Thursday in his first three rehab games at Triple-A Worcester. He has already played three rehab contests at Double-A Portland, going 2-for-8 with a home run. Cora did indicate that Story's timing is off at the plate and they didn't want to rush the infielder back, so a return this weekend might be a bit of a push. It shouldn't be long, though.

Neto (back) is playing shortstop and batting leadoff in his return to the lineup Tuesday in Detroit, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Neto missed Saturday's and Sunday's games versus the Pirates due to lower-back tightness but is ready to go following Monday's off day. The rookie shortstop has slugged two home runs in seven games since the All-Star break.

Smith started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a walk, a home run and an additional run scored in Monday's 10-9 loss to Houston.

Smith's fourth-inning solo shot was his first in 23 games and fourth of the season. The seldom-used utility player made a second consecutive start, as the Rangers deal with injuries to Corey Seager (thumb) and Adolis Garcia (hand).

Bichette is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Dodgers.

Bichette will get a breather after he went 0-for-14 with six strikeouts over the team's series in Seattle. Santiago Espinal will take over at shortstop and bat eighth in the series opener against Los Angeles.

Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Sunday in a 7-5 victory versus the Pirates.

Velazquez hadn't started a game since before the All-Star break coming into the weekend, but he found his name in the starting lineup for the second straight day Sunday as a result of Zach Neto's back injury. Velazquez made the most of the opportunity, slugging his first homer of the season in the fifth inning. The speedy infielder is still slashing just .200/.308/.289 on the campaign, and with Neto possibly returning to action Tuesday, Velazquez will likely return to a bench role soon.