MLB Player News

Mondesi will start at shortstop and bat ninth Sunday against the Twins, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Nicky Lopez had batted out of the ninth spot in the order in three of the previous four games, but after a recent surge at the plate, he'll move up to the two hole in the series finale. As a result, the rest of the Royals regulars will drop back a spot in the lineup, leaving the struggling Mondesi as the No. 9 hitter for the first time this season. While Mondesi hasn't hesitated to run this season, he's gotten on base at a measly .263 clip and hasn't been efficient on the bases (five steals in nine attempts). Additionally, he has yet to hit a home run in 21 games, leaving those that selected Mondesi in fantasy drafts wanting more a quarter of the way through the season.

Bichette felt something in his knee Saturday and will get an MRI on Sunday, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

He brought up the issue with the club after the game was suspended for rain, saying he felt something while stretching. Bichette won't play in the first game Sunday and is doubtful for the second game.

Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's loss to the Yankees.

Bogaerts gave Boston a short-lived lead in the third inning with a long ball to left field off James Paxton. The homer was his first since he hit a pair Aug. 2, and he now has four overall this season while slashing .273/.351/.515.

Velazquez went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, two runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Nationals.

Velazquez plated Bryan Holaday with his triple in the second inning. The 26-year-old has mostly served in a bench role this season, compiling one steal, one RBI, five runs scored and a .192 batting average across 27 plate appearances.

Manager Dusty Baker said Saturday that Diaz (groin) is "a week to 10 days away" from rejoining the Astros, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz suffered a groin strain on Opening Day and has been working his way back ever since. The Astros are currently at full strength in the infield and recently returned designated hitter Yordan Alvarez from the COVID-19 injured list, so Diaz will be destined for a bench role once he's reinstated from the IL.

Wendle went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

Wendle was also charged with a pair of errors, so it was a mixed bag of a night overall for the infielder. Wendle now has a modest three-game hitting streak going, which comes on the heels of an 0-for-8 skid earlier in the month.

Adames went 2-for-4 with two doubles and a run in a loss to the Blue Jays on Friday.

The hot-hitting shortstop was at it again during a sluggish night overall for the Rays offense. Adames now owns a five-game hitting streak, a stretch during which he's gone 8-for-17 with three doubles, one triple, one home run, thee RBI, two walks and six runs.

Bichette went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI, two runs and one strikeout in Friday's win over the Rays.

Bichette has been on a tear in recent games, and he's blasted home runs in each of his past four games. Now that the Blue Jays are playing their home games at hitter-friendly Sahlen Field, he could continue to see slightly elevated power numbers at home in 2020. The shortstop carries a 1.065 OPS with five home runs and 13 RBI this year.

Bogaerts (lower body) is back in the lineup as expected Friday against the Yankees, playing shortstop and batting cleanup.

Bogaerts missed Thursday's contest due to what was described as fatigue in his lower half, though his absence was never expected to be a lengthy one. That fatigue hasn't shown up in his numbers thus far, as he's hitting a strong .293/.379/.517 through 18 games.

Adames went 3-for-5 with a walk, a double, two RBI and two runs scored Thursday against the Red Sox.

Adames extended his hitting streak to four games and contributed to the Rays' offensive barrage in Boston. One day after clubbing his first home run of the season, Adames recorded his third multi-hit effort of the campaign. Across 64 plate appearances this season, Adames is hitting .286/.375/.482 with 12 runs scored and five RBI.