MLB Player News

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a solo homer in Sunday's 5-1 loss to Arizona.

Abrams provided the Nationals' only offense, leading off the second inning with a solo shot off Michael Soroka that briefly tied the game. The homer was his second in the last three games and is part of a great stretch, as he's hit .299 since April 29. Abrams' full season line stands at a splendid .286/.380/.534 with 14 homers, 49 RBI, 41 runs and nine steals across 279 plate appearances.

Willits was promoted to High-A Wilmington on Sunday, Kyle Williams of TheBanner.com reports.

Willits will move up a level in the Nationals' minor-league farm system after producing a .300 average with six home runs, 37 RBI, 48 runs scored and 29 stolen bases over 190 at-bats in 47 contests with Single-A Fredericksburg so far this year. The 18-year-old was selected with the first overall pick in the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, and he has an outside chance at being promoted to Double-A down the road this season.

Lopez went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, a double and a run scored during the Marlins' 4-1 win over the Rays on Sunday.

Lopez got the Marlins on the board with an RBI triple in the sixth inning before being brought home one batter later on a sacrifice fly from Kyle Stowers. It was the fourth time this season that Lopez recorded multiple extra-base hits in a game, and he has logged at least two hits in four of his last six outings. In that six-game span, he has gone 10-for-26 (.385) with four extra-base hits, two RBI and four runs scored.

Swanson is not in the starting lineup for Sunday night's contest against the Giants.

Swanson will remain on the bench for the second straight contest, which doesn't come as much of a surprise after manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that the 32-year-old would "get a couple days off." Nico Hoerner will draw the start at shortstop while Pedro Ramirez enters the lineup at second base, batting eighth in the series finale with San Francisco.

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington relayed Sunday that Griffin is looking at a "more relaxed timeline" in his recovery from a flexor strain in his right elbow, Jason Mackey of MLB.com reports.

Cherington didn't offer an exact timeline for Griffin, but the former noted that the 20-year-old shortstop is looking at a longer stint on the 10-day injured list after more exams by team doctors. Griffin has yet to start throwing but has been taking ground balls, and the Pirates should have a better sense of Griffin's recovery timeline once he's cleared to play catch.

Betts is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Sunday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Both Betts and Andy Pages will get an off day, with Miguel Rojas starting at shortstop and batting eighth in Sunday's series finale. Betts has gone 3-for-22 (.136) with one RBI and two runs scored since June 1.

Winn isn't starting for St. Louis on Sunday against Cincinnati.

Winn will get a breather after starting 14 straight games. He batted just .196 over that stretch, striking out 17 times over 60 plate appearances. Jose Fermin is drawing a start at shortstop in Winn's stead Sunday.

Hamilton went 4-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

Hamilton popped the homer in the second inning before adding three more singles. This was his second multi-hit effort over six games in June, matching his total from all of May. The infielder is now batting .243 with a .667 OPS, three homers, 11 RBI, 28 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, three doubles and a triple over 178 plate appearances. Hamilton continues to handle a strong-side platoon role on the left side of the Brewers' infield.

De La Cruz (hamstring) had his scheduled MRI moved up three days to this coming Friday, June 12, Gordon Wittenmyer of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

De La Cruz is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks due to a right hamstring strain that he sustained this past Sunday against Atlanta. The good news for the superstar shortstop is that he appears to be progressing ahead of his recovery schedule, so Friday's MRI should give the Reds a better sense of the next steps for De La Cruz's rehab program. In his absence, Matt McLain is expected to see more starts at shortstop, and Edwin Arroyo and Noelvi Marte are also slated to see more playing time.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell told reporters Saturday that Swanson is healthy but will "get a couple of days off," Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports.

Swanson is not in the Cubs' lineup for Saturday's game against the Giants, and it sounds like he may be on the bench for Sunday's series finale as well. The veteran shortstop has struggled at the plate this season, and over his last 10 games he's gone 5-for-33 (.152) with one RBI, two steals and 12 strikeouts. Nico Hoerner will start at shortstop Saturday, and Swanson's absence means more playing time is available for Pedro Ramirez.