MLB Player News

The Nationals recalled infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Syracuse Wednesday, and are putting him in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds.

According to the Washington Post, Walters is likely to see a majority of the playing time at second base against right-handed pitchers as part of a platoon with Danny Espinosa. Walters hit 12 of his 15 home runs in Triple-A from the left side of the plate.  

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada is expected to return to the starting lineup Friday, according to ESPN.

Tejada was hit in the head by a pitch during Wednesday's game, and sat out Thursday. The injury is not considered serious, and manager Terry Collins was just trying to be cautious with his shortstop. "We thought we’d give him one more day just as a precaution," Collins said. "He feels great. Said he could play, but we’ll just give him today and get him back in there tomorrow."

Tejada is hitting .235 over 260 at-bats. 

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada was absent from the starting lineup Thursday at Milwaukee after getting hit in the head by a pitch Wednesday. Wilmer Flores started at shortstop for New York in Tejada's absence.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada checked out OK after being hit in the head by a pitch Wednesday, the New York Daily News reports.

Tejada is likely to miss at least one game, but the team probably won't have to make a roster move to bring up another shortstop. He went 0 for 1 before exiting Wednesday's game, giving him a .235/.358/.292 line with two home runs and 22 RBI in 260 at-bats.

Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada left Wednesday's game at Seattle in the fifth inning after getting hit in the head by a pitch from Taijuan Walker.

Tejada immediately fell to the ground after getting struck in the front of the helmet. He stayed on the ground for a few minutes while being evaluated by trainers before walking off the field under his own power.

It seems unlikely the Diamondbacks will trade shortstop Chris Owings, outfielder A.J. Pollock, catcher Miguel Montero and pitcher Wade Miley by the July 31 trade deadline, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Miley is drawing substantial interest, but general manager Kevin Towers said trading the left-handed starter "doesn't make a whole lot of sense since we're trying to acquire starting pitchers."

Officials with other teams also told Heyman that the Diamondbacks don't seem eager to trade veteran Martin Prado or reliever Brad Ziegler. One general manager interested in trading for Prado believes the Diamondbacks won't deal him because of his leadership and work ethic.

Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings has been shut down for three days after visiting a doctor Friday, MLB.com reports.

"He's been sore, so we shut him down," manager Kirk Gibson said Saturday. "Just trying to get it kind of over the hump."

Owings has been out since June 25 with a left shoulder injury. Owings had been fielding and throwing before the decision was made to give his shoulder a few days to rest.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford helped power the team to a 9-1 win over the Marlins Friday.

Crawford played just five innings in the game, as he made his impact felt early. He went 1 for 2, with a two-run home run in the second inning and a sacrifice fly in the fifth to finish with three RBI and a run scored.

Crawford has been a surprise source of power for the Giants this season, hitting eight home runs in 93 games; his previous career-high was nine in 149 games last year.  Crawford is hitting .242/.323/.419 in 298 at-bats. 

Diamondbacks infielder Chris Owings still doesn't have a timetable for a return, according to MLB.com.

"This isn't what you want to be doing," Owings said. "It's tough, watching the team play on the road and just sitting in the dugout." Owings has been out since late June due to a shoulder injury. He's been able to do strengthening exercises and run the bases, but hasn't been able to swing much. 

Owings is hitting .277/.313/.458 over 238 at-bats. 

Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings won't be activated Friday, according to FoxSports.com.

Owings is dealing with a shoulder injury, and is still having some problems. Those issues could sideline Owings for a couple of weeks. Prior to the injury, Owings was hitting .277/.313/.458 over 238 at-bats.