MLB Player News

Franco (quadriceps) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list either Sunday or Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco appeared in his fifth rehab game Friday with Triple-A Durham, and he's rejoining the big-league club Saturday to be evaluated before potentially being activated. The 21-year-old could be back for Sunday's series finale versus Pittsburgh, but the team may opt to take advantage of Monday's scheduled day off and instead give him an extra day before reinstating him ahead of Tuesday's matchup with Milwaukee.

Pena (thumb) will likely be reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was eligible to return from the IL as early as Friday, but the Astros wanted to give him a few extra days to rest prior to returning to game action. Assuming the 24-year-old is activated Sunday, he'll be able to rest during the Astros' scheduled day off Monday to help ease him back into action. Once he's officially activated, Pena will reclaim his role as Houston's primary shortstop after he slashed .277/.333/.471 with nine homers, 27 runs, 27 RBI and six stolen bases to begin the season.

Anderson isn't starting Saturday against the Orioles.

Anderson started in four of the last five games and went 5-for-19 with three runs, a walk and three strikeouts during that time. However, he'll get a breather Saturday while Leury Garcia shifts to shortstop with Lenyn Sosa starting at the keystone.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 5-1 win against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Baez stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and none out in the third inning and crushed a Merrill Kelly curveball 459 feet to left center for his third homer in as many games. The knock extended the 29-year-old's hitting streak to a modest eight games, during which Baez is 12-for-31 with four long balls and two doubles, upping his season line to .216/.258/.378.

Velazquez will sit Friday against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez remains the Angels' primary shortstop despite the fact that he's hitting just .176/.223/.271 on the year. Tyler Wade will get the start on this occasion.

Pena (thumb) said Friday that he's feeling great, but he won't be activated off the injured list just yet, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Friday is the first day that Pena is eligible to return from the injured list, but despite the fact that he seemingly feels fine, he'll wind up missing at least one more day. The Astros have yet to specify exactly when he'll be back, but it looks as though he should return within the next few days.

Bogaerts will sit Friday against the Guardians, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

This appears to be nothing more than a routine day off for Bogaerts, who winds up with two full days to rest, as the Red Sox had a scheduled off day Thursday. Christian Arroyo will start at shortstop.

Diaz (shoulder) will bat seventh and play shortstop Friday against the Yankees.

Diaz missed the last four games with left shoulder soreness. He returns to a temporary starting role but will likely head back to the bench soon, as Jeremy Pena (thumb) appears close to a return from the injured list.

Smith is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Nationals.

Smith will take a breather after starting two games in a row following a stint on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder issue. He went 1-for-6 with a walk and a run scored in those contests. Ezequiel Duran will get the start at third base and bat eighth in Friday's matchup.

Pena (thumb) participated in all pregame activities prior to Thursday's matchup against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena has steadily increased his workload since landing on the 10-day injured list with left thumb discomfort last week, and he's eligible to be activated as early as Friday. While manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that a Friday return "might be a little quick," the skipper was pleased with Pena's progress, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the shortstop return sometime this weekend or early next week.