MLB Player News

Chang (illness) was activated from the COVID-19 injured list Friday, Mandy Bell of MLB.com reports.

Chang has been on the injured list since April 15, and he'll rejoin the active roster after an eight-game rehab assignment in the minors, during which he went 4-for-23. The 26-year-old could have an expanded role since Josh Naylor (undisclosed) landed on the COVID-19 IL in a corresponding move.

Mateo went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Cardinals.

Mateo opened the scoring with a second-inning blast. That was the Orioles' lone run until Anthony Bemboom went yard in the seventh. Mateo isn't one to hit for much power, but he's swatted both of his homers this season in his last seven games. The versatile 26-year-old is up to a .243/.277/.383 slash line with eight RBI, 12 runs scored and nine stolen bases through 113 plate appearances.

Pena (knee) isn't likely to play Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena exited Thursday's game due to discomfort in his right knee. It's not yet clear whether the injury will force a stint on the injured list, though he is likely to miss the team's series opener against the Nationals on Friday. Aledmys Diaz is also battling an undisclosed injury, leaving Niko Goodrum as the likeliest candidate to start at shortstop.

Pena exited Thursday's game against the Twins due to right knee discomfort, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena suffered his injury in the top of the fourth inning and was replaced defensively in the bottom half of the frame. He's considered day-to-day for now but will presumably undergo further testing to determine his status for Friday's series opener in Washington. If Pena is forced to miss time, Aledmys Diaz (undisclosed) and Niko Goodrum should see increased playing time at shortstop.

Pena was removed from Thursday's game against the Twins in the bottom of the fourth inning with an apparent injury, Julia Morales of AT&T SportsNet Southwest reports.

Pena was effective early in Thursday's matchup, as he went 3-for-3 with a double and a run. However, he was examined by trainers after singling in the top of the fourth inning. Although the 24-year-old initially remained in the game, Aledmys Diaz (undisclosed) took his place at shortstop in the bottom half of the inning. The nature and severity of Pena's injury aren't yet clear.

Owings went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in a 3-2 win Thursday in St. Louis.

Owings singled, stole a base and scored in the seventh inning. It was just his fourth game in the month of May and his first stolen base this season. After showing some promise last season in limited time for Colorado, Owings has been dreadful at the plate in 2022, slashing .138/.286/.172 over 35 plate appearances with one extra-base hit.

Manager Dusty Baker said Thursday that Diaz continues to tend to a nagging unspecified injury, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The injury first surfaced Sunday, when Diaz went 2-for-3 with a grand slam before departing the Astros' 5-0 win over the Tigers in the eighth inning. He hasn't appeared off the bench since and will remain out of the lineup for Thursday's series finale with the Twins. Baker said he's hopeful Diaz will be able to pick up a start at some point during the Astros' three-game series in Washington this weekend, so whatever is bothering the veteran infielder doesn't appear to be too significant.

Marte is hitting a modest .252/.358/.417 with four homers, three steals and a 14:37 BB:K across 26 games for High-A Everett.

He's shown some signs of warming up lately, going 6-for-17 (.353) with a homer and a steal across the last four games, but Marte has run hot and cold for the entirety of the season's first month-plus. Before this stretch, he went 3-for-24 in a six-game span -- and before that, he went 8-for-19 over four games. The net is that while Marte's plate discipline has remained strong, his power production and consistency have been issues. After last season's 17 homers and 23 steals in (what was then) Low-A, much more was expected from Marte with the bat. He's had his struggles with the glove, too, with eight errors giving him an unpleasant .922 fielding percentage and making it look increasingly likely that he'll be moved off shortstop at some point. Marte should still be considered a high-end prospect, but it would be good to see more power from him, especially after he closed out 2021 with a lengthy homer drought.

Baez is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics.

According to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Baez's absence from the lineup is a scheduled off day for the 29-year-old. Since returning April 24 from a stint on the injured list due to a thumb issue, Baez started in each of the Tigers' last 17 games and slashed .200/.243/.300 over that stretch. Harold Castro fills in for Baez at shortstop in the series finale.

Story went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to Atlanta.

Story launched his first home run for his new team 26 games into the season. The second baseman's season-opening slump still hangs over the Red Sox, but a 3-for-9 stretch with a homer and four RBI over the last two games is an encouraging sign. He's had a few starts and stops with respect to the slump, but Story's relief was evident in his first laundry cart ride of the season.