MLB Player News

Marcano will start at shortstop and bat seventh Wednesday against the Guardians.

Marcano had started at shortstop in nine of the Pirates' first 12 games of July, but he was the bench for the first two contests of the series in the wake of prospect Liover Peguero's promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis. Though Peguero looks like he'll get a trial as the Bucs' primary shortstop for the time being, he'll take a seat Wednesday in favor of Marcano after going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in his first two starts. If neither Peguero nor Marcano is able to provide consistent production at the plate over the next several games, one or both could be headed back to Triple-A once Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) eventually makes his return from the 10-day injured list.

Wendle is not in the lineup Tuesday at St. Louis.

Jon Berti will start at shortstop and bat eighth with left-hander Jordan Montgomery toeing the slab for the host Cardinals. The left-handed-hitting Wendle continues to sit against most southpaws.

Edman (wrist) began a throwing program and fielded grounders Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman has also been cleared to resume taking light swings as he ramps back up following a shutdown period that began just before the All-Star break. It's not yet clear whether he will require a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns from the right wrist inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 7.

Luciano was promoted Tuesday to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Luciano missed the first month of the minor-league season after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back while playing in the Dominican Winter League and then got off to a relatively slow start with Double-A Richmond upon his arrival there in early May. He had turned it on lately, though, slashing .309/.416/.564 across his last 113 plate appearances dating back to June 10. The highly-touted shortstop prospect, who turns 22 in September, is now just one step away from the majors.

Shewmake is slashing .328/.421/.656 over his last 18 games for Triple-A Gwinnett with seven doubles, a triple, four homers, four steals and a 7:7 BB:K.

The 25-year-old shortstop has no clear path to the majors as long as Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia are healthy, but Shewmake appears to be taking a big step forward as a hitter. His glovework has never been in question, so if he can demonstrate the ability to provide some kind of offense in the majors, he stands a much better chance of securing a starting role in the future -- whether it's with Atlanta, or in another organization should he get shipped out at the trade deadline.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's win over the Cubs.

Fresh off being named NL Player of the Week for the abbreviated period following the All-Star break, Abrams made a quick impact from the leadoff spot once again, getting hit by Drew Smyly's fourth pitch of the game, promptly stealing second and coming around to score on Jeimer Candelario's homer. Abrams is up to 17 steals on the season, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance on the basepaths in his last eight games -- a stretch in which he's batting a blistering .394 (13-for-33).

Swanson (heel) took batting practice on the field Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Swanson was not able to come off the injured list when first eligible over the weekend, but he seems to be close. The shortstop has been on the shelf for the last week-and-a-half with a bruised left heel. It's not clear whether he might need a rehab assignment before being activated.

Crawford is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Reds, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

He'll join fellow left-handed-hitting regulars LaMonte Wade and Joc Pederson on the bench for the series opener while the Reds bring southpaw Brandon Williamson to the hill. Casey Schmitt will step in for Crawford at shortstop.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Rojas will take a seat for the first time in the second half after he went a collective 2-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored while starting all three games of the Dodgers' series with the Mets this past weekend. Chris Taylor will spell Rojas at shortstop Monday as the Dodgers' road trip shifts to Baltimore.

Abrams went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals.

The 22-year-old accounted for half of Washington's hits on the afternoon. Abrams has flipped the switch in July, producing seven multi-hit performances in 11 games and slashing .395/.435/.628 with seven steals, three doubles, two triples and a homer. He's hit safely in six straight games since moving into the leadoff spot for the Nationals, batting .480 (12-for-25) and scoring eight runs, and he appears to be on the brink of a breakout second half.