MLB Player News

Velazquez went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Saturday in a loss to the Tigers.

Velazquez's second-inning solo shot gave the Angels a 2-0 lead, but the team scored only one more run the rest of the game. The homer was his first since June 28 -- a span of 35 games. Velazquez is slashing a paltry .184/.227/.277 this season, so he's a fantasy consideration only for those very desperate for steals, of which he has 13 in 14 attempts.

Smith is not in Saturday's lineup against the Twins.

He is hitting .206 with zero extra-base hits in 13 games this month. Smith and fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran have been splitting the third base duties fairly evenly of late, with the righty-hitting Duran starting against all lefties and some righties.

Rocchio was promoted from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus on Saturday.

Rocchio posted a combined slash line of .275/.352/.456 with 19 home runs, 19 stolen bases, 78 RBI and 96 runs scored through 143 games across two seasons at the Double-A level. The 21-year-old will now be one step away from the majors, though he's likely to spend the rest of this season and much of 2023 at Columbus. He earned the promotion by batting .311 in 40 games since the start of July.

Martinez was promoted to Double-A Akron on Saturday, Guardians Baseball Insider reports.

The Guardians' farm system is stacked, particularly with middle infielders, and Martinez is one of the standouts. He hit .288/.384/.477 with 10 home runs, 10 steals and a 58:40 K:BB in 77 games at High-A and doesn't turn 21 until January.

Witt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's victory over the Rays.

Witt launched a two-run shot in the third inning that scored MJ Melendez. It was his 16th homer of the year and his first since Aug. 3. After batting .294 in July, the rookie shortstop is batting .215 this month. He has gone 14-for-65 with 13 strikeouts and just two walks. It may be that Witt is just in a funk this month, but it could also be that pitchers have started to figure out the young star and are exploiting a weakness.

Mateo went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 15-10 win over the Red Sox.

Mateo provided the Orioles' first runs of the game with his second-inning blast off Kutter Crawford. He had a hot start to August, but Mateo's now gone seven games without a multi-hit effort as it appears he's cooled off again. For the season, he's slashing .228/.278/.402 with 12 homers, 39 RBI, 50 runs scored and 27 stolen bases through 111 contests.

Bogaerts was ejected from Friday's game against the Orioles for arguing balls and strikes, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bogaerts went 1-for-3 with a run scored and was tossed after arguing a called third strike during the fourth inning. The 29-year-old should be back in the lineup for Saturday's matchup in Baltimore. Enrique Hernandez moved in to play shortstop in place of Bogarts with Jarren Duran taking over in center field.

Duran is not in Friday's lineup against the Twins.

He will sit for the second time in the last three games. Josh Smith, who is hitting eighth against righty Dylan Bundy, may have a loose hold on the strong side of a platoon at third base.

Velazquez isn't starting Friday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 2-for-4 with a run, a stolen base and a strikeout Wednesday. David Fletcher is shifting to shortstop while Luis Rengifo (back) returns to the lineup at second base.

Downs is considered day-to-day due to a left ankle injury, Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Downs exited Thursday's game at Triple-A Worcester after falling while running to second base, and he had to be helped off the field by trainers. However, the team hopes the 24-year-old will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.