MLB Player News

Baez went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's extra-innings win over the Giants.

Baez was benched in the third inning of Thursday's game after a baserunning blunder got him doubled off second base, but he was back in the lineup Friday and played well. The shortstop is still batting only .159 this season, which is a huge disappointment given his contract. Baez is a streaky performer, however, and Friday's effort could get him going.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a loss to the Mets on Friday.

The veteran infielder uncorked a 383-foot shot to left field in the fifth inning for his first round-tripper in an Athletics uniform. The multi-hit effort was only the second of the season for Diaz, who'd been mired in a 1-for-18 funk over the previous five games and had recorded just one extra-base hit in his first 12 contests.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Story (elbow) has begun playing catch, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

The manager could not put a strict timetable on Story's return, but it's reasonable to expect him to be playing at some point following the All-Star break. Story underwent a procedure in January, which was described as an internal bracing of the right ulnar collateral ligament.

Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-4 with a sacrifice bunt in Friday's 6-2 win over the Astros.

Smith started once again for the injured Corey Seager (hamstring), slotting in at second in the order. That was Seager's spot in the order, and it appears Texas manager Bruce Bochy wants to limit disruption to the normal batting order. Smith is not expected to replace Seager's production, but he does handle the bat well, as evidenced by his fifth-inning bunt that moved runners and set up Nathaniel Lowe's two-run single. With Houston scheduled to start another righty Saturday, Smith should make a third straight start. The righty-hitting Ezequiel Duran could start at shortstop Sunday, when Astros lefty Framber Valdez is projected to start, the Rangers' first game against a southpaw since Seager's injury.

Witt went 3-for-4 in Friday's 10-3 loss to Atlanta.

Witt's slow start to the season is quickly becoming a fading memory, as he's gone 9-for-17 (.529) over his last four games. While he didn't directly generate any run-scoring plays, it's good to see the shortstop swinging the bat well. He's up to a .269/.321/.423 slash line with two home runs, five stolen bases, six RBI and six runs scored through 14 contests.

Volpe went 1-for-3 with a walk, two strikeouts and the first home run of his big-league career Friday against the Twins.

It was a 394-foot solo shot with a 99.8 mph exit velocity. Volpe's strikeout rate is now 34 percent on the year, but at least his 12.8 percent walk rate is strong and he's providing solid defense at shortstop. He has hit leadoff in two of the three games since DJ LeMahieu (quad) has been sidelined, but LeMahieu is expected back Saturday.

Allen was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

After starting just 1-for-16 at the plate through his first eight games, Allen will return to the minors to right himself. The 24-year-old shortstop slashed .266/.371/.358 over 206 plate appearances in Triple-A last season. Tyler Wade was selected from Las Vegas on Friday in a corresponding move.

Anderson (knee) is tracking toward a return closer to the early side of his projected 2-4 week recovery timeline, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Anderson will be away from the White Sox for a couple days to tend to a personal matter, but his progress from a sprained left knee appears to be coming along well. April 27 is the beginning of a homestand for the White Sox and would be just after the two-week mark of Anderson's absence, so perhaps that's a date for the shortstop to shoot for.

Mateo isn't in Baltimore's lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

After going 3-for-13 with three RBI and two steals in the Orioles' last series against Oakland, Mateo will get an off day in Friday's series opener with Chicago. In his absence, Gunnar Henderson will start at shortstop, Anthony Santander (back) will serve as DH and Terrin Vavra will get a start in right field.

Perez (back) was reinstated from the 7-day injured list Friday and transferred from Triple-A Toledo to Double-A Erie, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

Perez has had very little trouble against minor-league pitching in his career thus far, slashing .307/.374/.533 over 171 plate appearances in Double-A last season. If he can carry that success into 2023, there's a good chance he makes his Triple-A debut at some point this summer.