MLB Player News

Story (heel) is scheduled to hit against rehabbing starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (shoulder) in a simulated game Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story, who has been sidelined since Sept. 11 with a left heel contusion, is still angling to play again in 2022, though the Red Sox don't plan to activate him from the 10-day injured list until Monday at the soonest. Facing live pitching marks a step in the right direction for Story, but he'll still need to resume defensive drills and a running program before the Red Sox sign off on his return.

Witt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Witt had started in every game for the Royals since Aug. 12, so he was probably overdue for a day off. His move to the bench comes while he's in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .364 with nine runs, eight RBI and a stolen base. Nicky Lopez will step in at shortstop for Witt.

Soto went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Athletics.

The 22-year-old rookie has turned in four consecutive two-hit games to lift his batting average up to .379 through his first 32 big-league plate appearances. A .500 BABIP has had a major role in propping up Soto's batting average, and his 28.1 percent strikeout rate is another data point that suggests some regression could be in the forecast. Even if that's the case, Soto should at least continue to enjoy a full-time role in the Los Angeles infield while David Fletcher (hand) remains on the injured list.

Smith entered Tuesday's 5-0 win over Seattle as a pinch runner after Corey Seager left with a forearm injury.

Seager, who was removed after being plunked on the inner left forearm, was replaced by Smith on the bases then in the field for the final inning. Seager is considered day-to-day, which could lead to starts for Smith in the coming days. Mark Mathias and Charlie Culberson are also around for infield depth.

Seager (forearm) did not suffer any fractures and is day-to-day after being hit by a pitch on the inner left arm during Tuesday's 5-0 win over the Mariners, the Rangers' official site reports.

Seager, who is sporting a visible black-and-blue welt, was lifted for pinch runner Josh Smith, who stayed in the game to play shortstop. If Seager is to miss time, Marcus Semien could move to shortstop, while Smith, Mark Mathias or Charlie Culberson fills in at second base.

Allen went 2-for-4 with a two-run double in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Angels.

Allen did most of the damage for the Athletics with a bases-loaded double in the second inning which scored two runs. The rookie also recorded a base hit in the fourth inning, giving him his sixth multi-hit game on the season. The double was just his third extra-base hit of September, during which he is slashing .221/.254/.265 with a 21:3 K:BB over 71 plate appearances.

Mateo went 1-for-2 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 13-9 loss to the Red Sox.

Mateo didn't start Tuesday, but he entered the game as part of a defensive shift when Ramon Urias (knee) exited. The steal was Mateo's 34th of the year, three back of Miami's Jon Berti for the major-league lead. Mateo is 5-for-17 (.294) during his five-game hitting streak, and he's now slashing .222/.267/.386 with 13 home runs, 50 RBI, 61 runs scored, 24 doubles and seven triples through 142 contests. Mateo should close out the campaign as the Orioles' primary shortstop.

Seager was removed from Tuesday's game against the Mariners after being hit by a pitch in the left forearm, Levi Weaver of The Athletic reports.

The 28-year-old initially remained in the game after being struck by a 91-mph pitch during the eighth inning, but he was lifted for a pinch runner as a visible bruise formed on his forearm. Seager went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts prior to leaving the contest, and he's likely to undergo X-rays to help determine the extent of the injury.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Pena became the sixth Astros rookie ever to hit 20 home runs in a season as he mashed a two-run shot to extend Houston's lead to eight in the eighth inning. With two runs on the day, Pena has now scored in nine of his last 11 games and has 70 runs scored on the season, good for fourth among AL rookies; his 57 RBI rank fifth and his 20 home runs are tied for second.

Franco went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in a 6-5 extra-innings win Tuesday in Cleveland.

Franco doubled and scored in the third and walked, stole a base and scored in the 11th. He's 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts this season and Tuesday's steal was his first since July 5. Since returning from a wrist injury Sept. 9, he has a .324/.365/.426 slash line with only five strikeouts in 74 plate appearances.