MLB Player News

Lindor went 2-for-4 with a walk and a two-run home run in Saturday's 11-6 loss to the Nationals.

His fifth-inning shot off Patrick Corbin came too late for the Mets on Saturday, but it did snap a 15-game homer drought for Lindor. The shortstop has reached 20 home runs for the sixth straight full season, a streak interrupted only by the pandemic campaign, but his .231/.318/.451 slash line still falls well short of his production from his Cleveland heyday.

The Giants reinstated Crawford (knee) from the 10-day injured list Saturday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford wasn't expected to be back until Sunday, but the veteran shortstop will return to the Giants' bench a day early while Marco Luciano draws the start Saturday against Boston. It remains to be seen what role Crawford fill with Luciano, who is the Giants' top infield prospect, now up with the big club. Brett Wisely was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move.

McLain went 2-for-3 with two doubles and a run scored in Friday's 6-5 win over the Dodgers.

McLain was involved in the Reds' three-run first inning when he doubled and came home on Jake Fraley's home run. He's been a steady contributor since coming up in May with no extended slumps during his time in the majors. The middle infielder has never gone more than two games without a hit and is batting .305 with 10 home runs, 36 RBI, eight stolen bases and 48 runs over 63 games.

Crawford (knee) is expected to return to the Giants' lineup Sunday against the Red Sox, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

After reporting improvement during the week, Crawford cleared his final hurdle Friday, logging at-bats against a minor-league pitcher. It sounds like he will return after missing just over the minimum, though his exact role is to be determined in light of Marco Luciano's promotion. Luciano was reportedly taking grounders at second base Friday.

Leonard was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Friday.

Leonard is a 40-man roster casualty following the Dodgers' acquisition of both Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the White Sox. Justin Bruihl also got the boot. Leonard, a 22-year-old infielder, had slashed .254/.327/.411 with 11 homers and three steals through 92 games this season at Double-A Tulsa.

Abrams went 1-for-3 with two walks, a run and a stolen base in Thursday's loss to the Mets.

Abrams was one of just two Nationals hitters to reach base multiple times in the loss, and he scored the team's only run following a walk and a stolen base in the sixth inning. Though the shortstop has begun to tail off just a bit by going 4-for-19 over his past five games, that won't prevent July from being arguably the best month of his career thus far. Through 21 July games, Abrams is slashing .337/.398/.542 with three homers, four doubles, two triples, eight RBI, 21 runs, and 12 thefts on 12 attempts.

Edman (wrist) is scheduled to begin a minor-league rehab assignment Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Edman resumed taking live at-bats earlier this week and his sore right wrist has apparently responded well. Out since July 7, the 28-year-old super-utilityman should be back on the Cardinals' active roster by the middle of next week if all goes smoothly on the farm.

Single-A Visalia reinstated Pintar (ankle) from its 60-day injured list Saturday and assigned him to High-A Hillsboro.

Pintar has gone 2-for-13 with a run scored in his three games with Hillsboro since joining the squad last weekend. He opened the season with Visalia before landing on the shelf in late April with the ankle injury.

DeJong is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

Taylor Motter will start at shortstop in DeJong's stead and will bat ninth. A potential trade chip for the Cardinals with the Aug. 1 deadline fast approaching, DeJong holds a .728 OPS with 13 home runs in 77 games this season.

DeJong isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Thursday against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

After going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Wednesday, DeJong will get a breather to begin St. Louis' four-game series against Chicago. Taylor Motter will start at shortstop in DeJong's place and bat ninth.