MLB Player News

Downs is starting at shortstop and batting ninth Thursday against the Red Sox.

This is just the second start of any kind for Downs since the Nationals called him up from Triple-A Rochester on Aug. 3. The 25-year-old had struggled in the minors prior to that promotion and will have to take advantage of these limited opportunities in order to carve out more of a regular role for the stretch run.

Rojas went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Brewers.

Rojas has swatted all three of his homers this season over 15 games in August, though he's hitting a meager .233 for the month. His blast in the second inning Wednesday put the Dodgers ahead for good as they continue to roll. The shortstop is at a .220/.274/.297 slash line with 23 RBI, 36 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 92 contests.

McLain went 3-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI and two steals in Wednesday's 7-2 win over the Guardians.

McLain opened the scoring Wednesday with an RBI double in the first inning before adding a two-run homer off Noah Syndergaard in the fourth. The 24-year-old shortstop would also add his 10th and 11th stolen bases in the contest. McLain's huge night snapped a brief slump -- he'd gone 5-for-32 (.156) over his previous eight games. He's now slashing .298/.363/.514 with 13 homers, 56 runs scored and 44 RBI through 358 plate appearances in an impressive rookie campaign.

Edman was removed from Wednesday's game against Oakland due to a right calf contusion.

Edman fouled a ball off his right leg during an at-bat in the fifth inning and ended up having to leave the game. It's possible the Cards keep Edman out of the lineup for a day or two to allow him to recover, but he seems to have avoided a serious injury.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Astros.

Wendle looks to be getting a routine day off for the series finale. With Wendle beginning Wednesday's game on the bench, Jon Berti will draw the start at shortstop.

Crawford is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rays, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

The Rays are starting a right-hander (Aaron Civale), but the lefty-hitting Crawford will get a breather for the day game after a night game while he remains in the midst of a 1-for-25 slide at the dish. Johan Camargo will occupy shortstop Wednesday while Crawford sits.

Perdomo is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rockies.

Though he's a switch hitter, Perdomo often sits against left-handed pitchers, so it comes as little surprise that he'll head to the bench Wednesday while southpaw Austin Gomber takes the hill for Colorado. Nick Ahmed will step in for Perdomo at shortstop and bat seventh.

Winn (lower body) has gone 3-for-11 over three games since returning to Triple-A Memphis' lineup.

Winn was managing a mild glute strain over the last week, but he's been just fine since getting back into action after a few days off. The top prospect is slashing .284/.356/.467 with 17 home runs, 17 stolen bases, 60 RBI, 95 runs scored, 15 doubles and seven triples through 103 Triple-A games this year. It's expected he'll be called up to the majors some time before the end of the season.

Edman went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Athletics.

Edman has gone 10-for-24 (.417) with four homers and two doubles during his six-game hitting streak. It's an impressive show of power from a player not known for his slugging. He's up to 11 homers, 37 RBI, 54 runs scored, 15 stolen bases and a .251/.314/.433 slash line through 97 contests. Edman is likely to continue starting at shortstop rather than shifting back to the outfield with Dylan Carlson (oblique) landing on the injured list, though that could change if or when the Cardinals decide to call up Masyn Winn from Triple-A Memphis.

Williams is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Mets.

Williams had some big hits at the beginning of August, but the 24-year-old is slashing just .191/.269/.234 through his first 52 major-league plate appearances. Liover Peguero will start at shortstop for the Pirates on Tuesday as Jared Triolo covers second base.