MLB Player News

Allen is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Astros.

Allen will retreat to the bench for the series finale after going 2-for-15 with two runs while starting in each of the past four contests. The 23-year-old rookie is slashing an unremarkable .196/.271/.268 in 107 plate appearances on the season, but he should be in decent shape to hold on to a near-everyday role coming out of the All-Star break while the 31-61 Athletics continue to embrace a rebuild.

Crawford went 2-for-5 with a game-winning RBI single and a double in an extra-inning victory over the Rangers on Saturday.

The veteran shortstop's 10th-inning single snapped a 2-2 tie by plating Sam Haggerty, and the Mariners' Matt Festa was able to shut the door on the Rangers in the home half of the frame to give Seattle its 13th straight victory. Crawford's bat has been particularly productive over the last 10 games, a stretch during which he's generated a .316/.366/.421 slash line and microscopic 2.4 percent strikeout rate across 41 plate appearances.

Downs started at second base and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 14-1 loss to the Yankees.

The Red Sox placed Trevor Story (hand) on the injured list Saturday, and it looks like Downs will man second base until Story or Christian Arroyo (groin) return. Story's IL placement is backdated to Wednesday, meaning he's eligible to return for the second game after the All-Star break; Arroyo can return the first game after the break. Downs is 3-for-22 with 11 strikeouts over the first eight games of his major-league career.

Correa went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 6-3 victory over the White Sox.

Lance Lynn hung a breaking pitch in the middle of the zone and Correa did not miss. It was just Correa's second homer of July -- he entered Saturday's game with a .163/.302/.256 line across 12 games this month. However, after the two-hit effort Saturday, Correa is back up to .282/.357/.455 for the season. He has 11 home runs to go along with 33 RBI and 39 runs scored in 69 games.

Story was placed on the injured list with a bruised right hand Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story has been out since being hit in the hand by a pitch Tuesday against Tampa Bay. The decision to place him on the injured list won't cost him many days due to the All-Star break. The move can be backdated to Wednesday, meaning he'll be eligible to return for the second game of the second half. Connor Wong was recalled to take his place on the roster.

Story (finger) remains on the bench Saturday against the Yankees, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story hasn't played since being forced to leave Tuesday's game against the Rays after a pitch hit his hand. Previous reports indicated that there was no guarantee the second baseman would return prior to the All-Star break, so it's possible he remains out Sunday as well. Jeter Downs will make another start at the keystone Saturday.

Crawford (finger) is starting Saturday against the Rangers.

Crawford missed the last two games due to a bruised right index finger but is starting at shortstop and batting sixth Saturday. Over his last five matchups, he's hit .250 with a double, five runs, an RBI and two walks.

Fletcher (hip) has gone 1-for-8 with a run scored through three rehab games with Triple-A Salt Lake.

Fletcher kicked off the rehab assignment Tuesday, and he's had an uneventful three games thus far. The good news is that the utility man, who underwent surgery to repair the adductor muscles in both legs May 10, was able to play three straight days without suffering any setbacks, starting twice at second base and once as the designated hitter. Fletcher is expected to be ready to return to the Angels on July 28.

Anderson went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and two runs scored Friday against the Twins.

Anderson took Emilio Pagan yard in the fourth inning to record his sixth homer of the season. Entering the game, Anderson had failed to homer in 27 consecutive starts and has just a .109 ISO on the season. Despite the lack of power, Anderson has found other ways to be productive, particularly by hitting .313, scoring 42 runs and swiping 11 bags across 282 plate appearances for the campaign.

Chang went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored in Friday's 5-4 win against the Orioles.

Chang laced two RBI doubles in Friday's victory, one in the fourth inning and another in the sixth. In six appearances since being claimed off waivers by the Rays, the 26-year-old utility man has gone 6-for-16 (.375) with three RBI and six strikeouts. Through 75 plate appearances with Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Pittsburgh this season, Chang is slashing .191/.267/.279.