MLB Player News

Story (hand) swung a bat Sunday for the first time since sustaining a hand injury that landed him on the injured list, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Story is eligible to return from the injured list, but he's not yet ready to play in a game. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said they'll see how the infielder responds Monday and hopefully activate him at some point during the week. Cora added that a rehab assignment is being discussed but no firm decision has been made.

Seager went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Sunday's 11-8 win over the Athletics.

Seager led off the fifth inning with his eighth home run during the month of July and 23rd of the season. The shortstop is on pace to smash the career-high 26 blasts hit in 2017, thanks in part to career highs in launch angle (14.7 degrees) and sweet spot percentage (41.3%).

Pena went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Sunday's 8-5 win over the Mariners.

Pena went back-to-back with Jose Altuve in the first inning as the Astros quickly jumped ahead 2-0. This gave Pena a six-game hitting streak, and he's gone 7-for-25 (.280) with three extra-base hits in that span. The rookie shortstop owns a .261/.305/.452 slash line with 14 homers, 36 RBI, 40 runs scored and six stolen bases through his first 75 major-league games.

Baez (arm) is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday's game against the Twins, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

Baez was hit in the elbow by a pitch in the bottom of the fourth inning and initially remained in the game, but he struggled gripping a bat and was replaced by a pinch hitter in the bottom of the sixth. Prior to his departure due to his upper arm contusion, he went 0-for-1 with a run. If the 29-year-old isn't ready to play in Monday's series opener against the Padres, Harold Castro and Willi Castro are candidates to fill in at shortstop.

Baez left Sunday's game in the sixth inning against the Twins with a left upper-arm contusion.

Baez was hit in that spot by a Sonny Gray pitch earlier in the game. He was replaced by pinch hitter Victor Reyes, and Willi Castro moved from right field to shortstop to replace Baez in the field.

Witt exited Sunday's game against the Rays with right hamstring tightness, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Witt delivered an RBI single in his lone plate appearance Sunday and was removed after the first inning. The Royals labeled the 22-year-old's departure as precautionary, and he should be considered day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener against the Angels.

Witt was removed from Sunday's game against the Rays with an apparent injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Witt went 1-for-1 with an RBI and was replaced in the field for the top of the second inning for undisclosed reasons. The 22-year-old's departure is presumed to be related to some type of injury, and the Royals should provide an update in the near future.

Mateo went 2-for-4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Yankees.

Mateo's RBI single in the seventh inning tied the game at 3-3. The shortstop was also brought home twice in the contest on a single and a sacrifice fly, both from Cedric Mullins. Mateo is starting to hit better, going 11-for-31 (.355) in his last eight games, with six extra-base hits in that span. The speedster has a .210/.261/.357 slash line with seven homers, 23 steals, 25 RBI and 35 runs scored through 309 plate appearances.

Downs started at third base and went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

Downs filled in for the injured Rafael Devers, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a hamstring injury. Downs and Bobby Dalbec are the most likely fill-ins at the hot corner without Devers, who the Red Sox expect to return when eligible, per Betelhem Ashame of MLB.com. The Devers transaction plus one involving Enrique Hernandez (hip), who was transferred to the 60-day injured list, means Downs could be up with the team indefinitely. Downs is batting .156/.176/.281 over 11 games.

Duran started at third base and went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 3-1 loss to Oakland.

Duran, who was called up following the All-Star break, has started all three games since -- once at second base and the last two at third. The righty hitter has been in the lineup against both lefties and righties, and the Rangers may see how he develops in an everyday role. Duran's hit in all three games and, for now, has marginalized Josh Smith and Charlie Culberson.