MLB Player News

Velazquez isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Seattle, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez started in the last six matchups but will get a breather after he went 0-for-7 with four strikeouts over the last three games. Tyler Wade is shifting to shortstop while Luis Rengifo starts at second base.

Bichette exited Thursday's game against the Orioles due to a right leg injury, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

Bichette went 1-for-3 to begin Thursday's matchup, but he was replaced defensively in the top of the eighth inning. However, he underwent X-rays after the game that came back negative. The 24-year-old isn't expected to miss time, but the Blue Jays will see how he feels Friday before determining his status for the series opener against the Yankees.

Crawford (illness) is starting Thursday's game against the Angels.

Crawford missed the last two games due to food poisoning but will start at shortstop and lead off during Thursday's series opener against the Angels. Prior to the absence, he hit .333 with two doubles, five runs, two RBI and two stolen bases over his last eight games.

Manager Kevin Cash said Thursday that Franco (quadriceps) is running well and will go through full workouts Thursday and Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco resumed agility work Monday and has made good progress in his recovery over the last couples days. As long as he feels good during his workouts to close out the week, Cash said the 21-year-old could serve as the designated hitter in a Florida Coast League game Saturday.

Tena (undisclosed) has gone 1-for-4 with a double in his two games since returning to action Sunday for Double-A Akron.

Tena missed only a few days after he was scratched from Akron's lineup last Thursday due to an unspecified issue.

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored Wednesday against the Rangers.

Diaz is expected to take over the primary shortstop role with Jeremy Pena (thumb) sidelined. Diaz hit seventh Wednesday and managed the majority of his production in the first inning by drawing a walk and coming around to score. He's hitting just .217/.268/.304 for the season across 123 plate appearances, though this will be his first chance for consistent playing time since early May.

Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Athletics.

The shortstop continues to hit the ball went in June, posting his fifth multi-hit effort in 12 games. Bogaerts is 17-for-43 (.395) this month, and he's added a home run, six doubles, eight RBI and nine runs. It's nothing new for the 29-year-old, who owns a .335/.401/.498 slash line, six homers, 30 RBI, 39 runs scored, three stolen bases and 19 doubles through 61 contests this season. He's settled in to the cleanup spot nicely for the Red Sox for much of the last month.

Seager went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk Wednesday against the Astros.

Seager took Luis Garcia yard in the third inning to record his 13th home run of the season. He has at least one hit in five of his last six games, racking up two home runs, a double, four RBI and three runs scored in that span. Seager is hitting a disappointing .224 on the season, though he is striking out at just a 17.3 percent clip and has a .223 BABIP.

Smith (shoulder) reported to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday to begin a rehab assignment.

The 24-year-old has been on the injured list with a sprained shoulder since June 4, but he's now entering the final stage of his rehab program. Smith should only require a few games in the minors given the brevity of his absence.

Crawford (illness) is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.

Since the Mariners are closing their series with a day game after a night game, Crawford will unsurprisingly remain on the bench and get more time to recuperate from the illness that resulted in him being scratched ahead of Tuesday's 4-2 win. Manager Scott Servais has described Crawford's illness as flu-like symptoms, so the 27-year-old doesn't appear to be a candidate to land on the COVID-19-related injured list at this time.