MLB Player News

Velazquez remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Velazquez is on the bench for the fifth game in a row and appears to have lost hold of an everyday role in the middle infield. Luis Rengifo and Michael Stefanic are expected to serve as the Angels' primary starters moving forward at shortstop and second base, respectively. Since the beginning of June, Velazquez has slashed .099/.120/.222 in 35 games, so the Angels' decision to move him to a bench role hardly comes as a surprise.

Franco will be placed on the injured list after suffering a hamate injury Saturday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco has been hampered by lower-body injuries throughout the first half of the season, and he will be forced to miss more time with the current issue. He was spotted with his right hand in a brace and will undergo further evaluation Monday, though Topkin has suggested Franco could be in for an absence between six and eight weeks.

Downs was recalled by the Red Sox on Saturday.

Downs made his big-league debut in late June but went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his lone game. He'll get another chance with Christian Arroyo (groin) landing on the 10-day injured list. Downs struggled early in the season for Triple-A Worcester but has been excellent in July, grabbing 13 hits in seven games while adding four homers and five steals.

Franco's early exit Saturday against the Reds was due to discomfort in his right hand and wrist, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco has already missed nearly a month due to injury this season, though that was for an unrelated quadriceps issue. The Rays seem concerned that this latest injury could require a trip to the injured list as well, as he's already been ruled out for Sunday's series finale and will visit a doctor Monday.

Franco exited Saturday's game against the Reds for undisclosed reasons after just one inning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco struck out looking in the top of the first inning and did not take the field for the bottom of the inning. Yu Chang entered the game at second base, pushing Taylor Walls to shortstop. The reason for Franco's absence should emerge following Saturday's game, if not before.

Pena (illness) isn't in the lineup Saturday against Oakland, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena is out of the lineup for a third consecutive game due to the league's health and safety protocols, but it's encouraging that he hasn't been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Mauricio Dubon is starting at shortstop and batting second.

Witt (hand) went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Witt missed a couple of games after he was hit by a pitch on the hand Tuesday versus the Astros. He's hit safely in his last three games, going 4-for-13 (.308) in that span. The rookie should be good to go for an everyday role at shortstop going forward. He's slashing .236/.285/.442 with 12 home runs, 13 steals, 42 RBI, 43 runs scored, 16 doubles and five triples through 78 contests.

Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout Friday but will be held out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Charlie Culberson is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

Mateo isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mateo started in the last five games and went 2-for-15 with three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. He'll get a breather while Ramon Urias shifts to shortstop with Tyler Nevin starting at third base.

Story went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 12-5 loss to the Yankees.

He took Nestor Cortes deep in the fourth inning, but the Red Sox were already staring into a 9-2 deficit at that point. Story has gone yard three times during his five-game hit streak, and while the surge has only lifted his slash line on the year to .224/.295/.432, he's still been productive with 15 homers, 10 steals, 46 runs and 55 RBI through 77 contests.