MLB Player News

Franco went 1-for-4 with a double and a walk in Friday's 8-0 victory over Miami.

Making his first appearance since Sep. 10, Franco extended his on-base streak to 40 games after a sixth-inning walk. He then knocked a double in the eighth. The star rookie is hitting .323 during his on-base streak and now owns an .812 OPS on the year.

Smith was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Smith was recalled by Toronto on Wednesday, but he didn't record any plate appearances during his time on the major-league roster. He'll head back to Buffalo after Santiago Espinal (hip) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Franco (hamstring) was reinstated off the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco's strained right hamstring will only wind up keeping him out for two weeks. He's ready to go after just a single rehab game and will look to recapture the excellent form he was in prior to the injury, as he slashed .336/.397/.555 with a miniscule 6.6 percent strikeout rate over his last 35 games. Taylor Walls was optioned to clear a spot on the roster.

Franco (hamstring) went 0-for-1 with two walks and a run in Triple-A Durham's win over Gwinnett on Thursday.

Franco was limited to a three-inning simulated game Wednesday after the Bulls' contest against the Stripers was rained out, and he was able to run the bases and take groundballs in each frame. He then started and played the full game at shortstop in Game 1 of Thursday's twin bill, leaving him poised for a likely activation from the injured list Friday.

Anderson isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Cleveland.

Anderson was dominant in Thursday's matinee, as he went 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI. Leury Garcia will take his place at shortstop while batting leadoff.

Franco (hamstring) was unable to take part in his first rehab game Wednesday due to Triple-A Durham's contest against Gwinnett being postponed by inclement weather.

Adam Berry of MLB.com relays Franco reported to Durham on Tuesday and was able to log five at-bats in live batting practice while also fielding groundballs at shortstop without setbacks. Getting live at-bats in game action would have been the next step Wednesday, but due to the postponement, Franco will hope to be able to take the field Thursday before a likely Friday activation.

Bichette went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Wednesday's 7-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

The shortstop recorded his 23rd steal in 24 attempts this year and his third theft in September. Bichette has gone 6-for-18 (.333) with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored in his last five games. For the season, he's slashing .292/.340/.467 with 26 homers, 98 RBI, 113 runs scored and 25 doubles.

Fletcher is out of the lineup Wednesday against the Astros, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Fletcher will head to the bench for the first time since June 18, a stretch of 81 consecutive starts. He has a .363 OPS through 18 games in September, so it's likely a good time for a reset. Kean Wong will cover the keystone in his place Wednesday.

Mondesi isn't starting Wednesday's game against Cleveland.

Mondesi will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 1-for-4 with three strikeouts Tuesday. Hanser Alberto will start at the hot corner and bat seventh.

Smith was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday.

Smith spent nearly two weeks in Buffalo and hit .258 with two doubles, six runs and three RBI across seven minor-league games since his demotion. He'll be available off the bench in Wednesday's series finale against the Rays after Breyvic Valera (undisclosed) was placed on the COVID-19 injured list.