MLB Player News

De La Cruz batted leadoff in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Giants, going 1-for-4 with a walk and a caught stealing.

De La Cruz was atop the order for a fourth straight game, all coming against right-handers. TJ Friedl had served in that role previously but was dropped to second behind the dynamic rookie. De La Cruz has slumped since the All-Star break, going 2-for-28 (.071) over seven games.

DeJong went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's 7-2 win against the Cubs.

DeJong plated the final runs for the Cardinals in the contest with his two-run shot to right field in the fifth inning. The long ball ended an 18-game homerless stretch for the shortstop during which he knocked in just five runs. DeJong is batting just .238 on the season, though his 13 homers rank fourth on the team.

Edman (wrist) is scheduled to begin taking live at-bats early next week, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Edman is currently doing throwing and fielding work without issue, but the big test for his sore right wrist will be how it holds up against contact swings. The versatile 28-year-old has been on the shelf since July 7 and received an injection in the wrist over the All-Star break to aid the healing process. He could perhaps be activated late next week if there are no setbacks from this point forward.

Crawford said Thursday that he's already shown improvement and won't require a cortisone shot for his inflamed left knee, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Crawford landed on the injured list Wednesday but may be sidelined for only the 10-day minimum, given that he seems to be making good progress in his recovery. Casey Schmitt is expected to serve as the Giants' primary shortstop for however long Crawford is on the shelf.

McLain is out of the lineup Thursday against the Giants.

It's a rare day off for the rookie infielder. The Reds are going with Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Spencer Steer at third base for their matinee versus San Francisco.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Atlanta.

Ahmed doubled home a run in the sixth inning then singled in another in the eighth. Those proved to be key insurance runs when Atlanta scored in the seventh and ninth innings. The emergence of Geraldo Perdomo, who typically starts against righties, has limited Ahmed's opportunities, but the 33-year-old started against righty Charlie Morton on Wednesday. He's slashing .311/.364/.459 against right-handers in 2023.

Abrams went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Abrams has multiple hits in nine of 14 games in July, and he's added nine of his 18 steals on the season in that span. The shortstop has thrived atop the order, going 15-for-37 (.405) from that spot since he moved there July 7. Abrams has lifted his slash line to .254/.302/.414 with eight home runs, 36 RBI, 43 runs scored, 17 doubles and four triples over 87 contests overall.

Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that he's optimistic Swanson (heel) will be able to return this weekend, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Swanson began taking batting practice Monday and has increased his level of baseball activity in the days since with no apparent issues. The shortstop has been on the shelf since July 8 because of a bruised left heel.

Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to July 17, with left knee inflammation.

Crawford will be sidelined for at least the next eight days with another leg injury. He's slashed just .207/.285/.333 in 64 games (222 plate appearances) this season when healthy.

Perdomo is absent from the lineup Wednesday at Atlanta.

Nick Ahmed will start at shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Charlie Morton and the NL East leaders. This looks to be a routine day of rest for Perdomo, who had two hits and two RBI in the Diamondbacks' 16-13 defeat of Atlanta on Tuesday night.