MLB Player News

Pena went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Pena missed three games due to the league's healthy and safety protocols. He was able to contribute a sacrifice fly for the Astros' fifth run in the contest in his return from the short absence. The rookie shortstop is 7-for-33 (.212) with three home runs, five RBI and six runs scored through seven games in July, though a four-hit, two-homer game July 3 against the Angels helped steady his recent numbers. Overall, he's slashing .266/.314/.464 through 258 plate appearances.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Diaz made his second straight start as the designated hitter. His steal Sunday was his first of the year on his second attempt -- he hasn't posted more than four steals in a major-league season, and he hadn't successfully notched a theft since 2019 entering this contest. The 31-year-old has often served as a utility man, but regular playing time at designated hitter and in left field could be open with Yordan Alvarez (hand) and Michael Brantley (shoulder) both sidelined. For the season, Diaz is slashing .234/.281/.359 with five home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored and six doubles, and his versatility could be a plus for fantasy managers.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Twins.

Seager has turned up his power and hitting in the last week, posting five multi-hit efforts in his last six games. He's gone 11-for-22 (.500) with four homers, nine RBI and six runs scored in that span. Prior to this surge, the shortstop's first year with the Rangers had looked rather disappointing, but he's now slashing .245/.317/.456 in 81 contests. He's added 19 long balls, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored, three stolen bases and 10 doubles. Seager's career high in homers is 26 during the 2016 season, and that's a mark he should have a chance to shatter over the second half of this campaign.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the White Sox.

Baez started the scoring early, taking Michael Kopech deep two batters into the game to put the Tigers up 2-0. The shortstop is continuing to round into form, with six home runs in his last 20 contests, compared to just three long balls over his first 54 games. Baez can fall into prolonged slumps, but he's a dangerous hitter when he's in a groove.

Diaz will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 6 hitter in Sunday's game in Oakland.

Diaz will make his second straight start out of the DH spot and his sixth in a row overall after going 8-for-22 with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI and four runs over the previous five contests. With the Astros placing Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Diaz looks like the top candidate to serve as Houston's primary DH in the final week before the All-Star break.

Pena (illness) is starting at shortstop and batting second Sunday against the Athletics.

The young shortstop sat out the past few days while in the league's health and safety protocols, but he'll rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Pena has an .818 OPS with three home runs through seven games in July.

Downs went 1-for-1 with an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Downs scored the game-tying run as a pinch runner for J.D. Martinez in the eighth inning, then plated a run in the 10th inning with his first hit in the majors. He later came around to score the winning run on Alex Verdugo's single. Downs is up with the Red Sox after the team placed Christian Arroyo (groin) on the 10-day injured list Saturday. The rookie could get a start or two at third base pending the status of Rafael Devers (back), who didn't play Saturday and is expected to sit out Sunday.

Franco (wrist) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The 21-year-old is dealing with a hamate injury in his right wrist that could require surgery, with the resulting procedure expected to sideline him for 6-to-8 weeks. Franco will be further evaluated Monday when the Rays return from their current road trip, which could bring more clarity regarding whether or not he'll need surgery. Taylor Walls is expected to take over as Tampa Bay's primary shortstop, while Yu Chang and Jonathan Aranda could also see increased playing time in Franco's absence.

Anderson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Anderson is off to a slow start in July with a .518 OPS through nine games, though he has perked up over the past few days by going 5-for-13 with a double, an RBI and three runs. Leury Garcia will shift to shortstop while Yoan Moncada takes over leadoff duties Sunday. The White Sox will close out the final week before the All-Star break with an eight-game slate, but fantasy managers shouldn't count on Anderson starting in more than seven of those contests. According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, manager Tony La Russa said Anderson isn't expected to play both ends of Tuesday's doubleheader in Cleveland, and if he does, the shortstop would be scheduled to sit out Wednesday's series finale.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's win over the Twins.

Seager's fourth-inning solo shot gave him a homer in back-to-back games. It was his third long ball of the month after he hit four in all of June. The shortstop has picked up 11 hits in eight July games, including four multi-hit performances. He has struck out only once during that span. Since July 1, Seager has increased his batting average from .226 to .241 thanks to a .355/.429/.645 slash line.