MLB Player News

Diaz (shoulder) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz has been dealing with a sore left shoulder and will be out of the lineup for a fourth consecutive game. He was available off the bench Wednesday but was ultimately held off the field. It wouldn't be surprising to see him available off the bench once again Thursday, whileMauricio Dubon will remain at shortstop and bat seventh.

Crawford went 2-for-4 with a two doubles, two RBI and a run in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday.

Crawford wreaked havoc out of the top of the order and knocked in the Mariners' seventh and eighth runs of the game with his fifth-inning double. The veteran shortstop's first multi-hit game since June 11 was a welcome sight, as it snapped a 4-for-34 funk that had encompassed his previous nine contests.

Downs was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Downs went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his MLB debut Wednesday after being called up Monday, but he'll return to Triple-A just one day later. The 23-year-old has struggled to a .180 batting average with 11 homers, 21 RBI, 35 runs and 11 stolen bases over 189 at-bats with Worcester this season. His demotion suggests Christian Arroyo (illness) is nearing a return from the COVID-19 injured list.

Franco (quadriceps) went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Franco hit second and started at shortstop but didn't play the full game with two more rehab appearances on tap this week. Assuming all goes well across his three total games with Durham, Franco could be activated Saturday during Tampa Bay's three-game series against Pittsburgh.

Story went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a 6-2 victory against Detroit on Wednesday.

Story's eighth-inning single extended his modest hitting streak to six games, and he followed with his ninth theft of the campaign. The veteran infielder's .223/.303/.421 slash line on the season remains disappointing, but the steals combined with 11 homers and 48 RBI have allowed him to maintain a fair amount of fantasy value.

Correa went 2-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs in Wednesday's 11-10 loss to the Guardians.

Correa went yard in the first and third innings, but he couldn't get another hit after that. He's gone 11-for-39 (.282) in his last nine games, adding four RBI and five runs scored in that span. The star shortstop hasn't flexed as much power in his first year with the Twins -- he has seven homers and a .466 slugging percentage while adding 23 RBI, 27 runs scored and 12 doubles across 47 contests overall.

Bichette went 2-for-5 with a grand slam during Wednesday's 9-5 win against the White Sox.

Bichette singled during the opening frame and was stranded at second base, but he came through with a 388-foot homer with the bases loaded during the fourth inning to put Toronto up 7-0. The long ball is a welcome sight for the 24-year-old, as he entered Wednesday's contest with a .467 OPS in 10 games since hitting his previous home run June 10. Bichette is hitting .260/.306/.427 with 11 home runs, 38 RBI, 39 runs and five stolen bases through 68 games this year.

Baez went 2-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Wednesday's loss to the Red Sox.

Baez wasted no time hitting his sixth home run of the season, taking Michael Wacha deep in the first inning with a runner on. Three of those home runs have come in the past five games, and the shortstop is hitting a robust .450 during this stretch. Baez's overall numbers are still below his usual standards, but it seems like he's finally getting going at the plate.

Downs is starting at third base and batting ninth during Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Downs has played in the middle infield to begin his professional career, but the team apparently feels comfortable enough in his abilities at the hot corner to put him at the position for his major-league debut. The 23-year-old slashed .180/.297/.397 with 11 homers, 35 runs, 21 RBI and 11 stolen bases over 53 games at Triple-A Worcester to begin the year.

Anderson is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Blue Jays.

Anderson will get a breather after he went 4-for-10 with three runs scored in his first two games back following a groin injury. Danny Mendick will take over at shortstop and bat leadoff Wednesday.