MLB Player News

Allen made his major-league debut in Tuesday's win over the Orioles, starting at second base and going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

The defensive-savvy prospect is more renowned for his prowess at shortstop, but he's also logged 61 appearances at the keystone in the minors. Allen's promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday was the result of the Athletics' rash of COVID-19 absences, so his initial majors stint may not last but a few days.

Story went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double and an RBI in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Scoring opportunities were rare for Boston, which managed just three hits during the game. Enrique Hernandez and Story hit back-to-back doubles in the third to produce the team's first run. Story's double extended his hit streak to six games and gives him three RBI in the last two contests.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored in a 7-2 loss Tuesday against the Angels.

Pena reached on a catcher's interference and scored in the third and added a solo home run in the seventh. The top prospect has gotten off to a great start for the Astros, leading the team with six extra-base hits and posting a 1.014 OPS. The 24-year-old had only played 30 minor-league games above High-A level prior to this season and has shown he belongs in the big leagues so far.

Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a 7-2 win Tuesday in Houston.

Velazquez led off the sixth inning with a single and then stole second base but was left stranded. He started at shortstop and hit ninth in the Angels' lineup. The journeyman has started the last six games for the Angels after being recalled when David Fletcher (hip) went on the injured list. The 28-year-old has a .182 lifetime batting average across 187 at-bats in five seasons.

Franco (quadriceps) went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and a double in the Rays' 6-5 victory over the Cubs on Tuesday.

After missing Monday's loss with quadriceps tightness, Franco returned with a bang and produced his second consecutive multi-hit performance. The shortstop took Cubs starter Justin Steele deep for a two-run shot in the top of the third before later adding both a double in the fifth and a single in the ninth. The long ball was his first of the campaign and he is now batting an impressive .404 with seven extra-base hits.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles and is wearing a protective walking boot, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The 25-year-old apparently suffered the injury during Monday's contest on a feet-first slide, though he never actually exited the contest. The specifics of the injury remain unclear, and Smith should be considered day-to-day until his status is updated.

Smith is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Orioles.

Smith started the past six games and will receive a day off after going 5-for-19 with two doubles, two walks, an RBI and three runs during that stretch. Sheldon Neuse will start at the hot corner Tuesday with righty Chris Ellis on the mound for Baltimore.

Franco (quadriceps) is starting at shortstop and batting second Tuesday against the Cubs, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Franco was scratched from Monday's lineup due to tightness in his right quadriceps, but he was reportedly available off the bench and nearly entered during the ninth inning. The 21-year-old's absence appears to have been a precaution, and there shouldn't be much concern now that he's back in the starting nine.

Franco (quadriceps) is expected to be in the lineup Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco was originally in the lineup Monday, only to be scratched with tightness in his right quadriceps. He was reportedly available to pinch hit and nearly entered Monday's loss to the Cubs in the ninth inning. Though a return Tuesday is realistic, even if Franco is held out of the lineup again, his absence doesn't look likely to cost him an extended stretch of game action.

Franco was scratched from the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs with a tight right quadriceps, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The initial diagnosis doesn't sound particularly severe, but it's possible the diagnosis could change into something more serious after further tests. Yandy Diaz will replace him in the lineup, starting at third base and pushing Taylor Walls to shortstop.