MLB Player News

Lindor (oblique) is hoping to skip a rehab assignment once he's cleared for game action, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets are reportedly open to the idea, though they've yet to fully decide on their plans. Lindor has been out for nearly a month with a right oblique strain, so skipping a rehab assignment would be somewhat unusual, but he's seemingly willing to take the risk with the Mets locked into a very tight playoff race.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals due to a tight lower back, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It doesn't sound like DeJong is dealing with a serious injury, but it's not yet clear whether or not he'll be able to return Sunday. Edmundo Sosa starts at shortstop in his absence.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Royals for undisclosed reasons, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

DeJong was not seen on the field for pregame warmups. Edmundo Sosa will take his place at shortstop. The Cardinals have an off day Monday, so it's possible DeJong sits Sunday as well to get three days off to recover from whatever is ailing him.

Story (forearm) is batting third and playing shortstop Saturday against the Giants.

Story was omitted from Friday's lineup after taking a pitch to the forearm Thursday, but his appearance as a pinch hitter Friday suggested he was ready to play again. He's started off the month well, hitting .389 with two home runs, five doubles and six RBI in 11 games since the beginning of August.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Swanson recorded his second consecutive multi-hit performance Friday and gave Atlanta some late-game insurance with his 21st homer of the season. Across 11 games since the start of August, the shortstop has hit .357 with a home run, three doubles, eight runs, five RBI and two stolen bases.

Crawford isn't starting Friday against Colorado, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford inked a two-year contract extension Friday, but he'll get a day off after going 9-for-20 with a home run, three doubles, five RBI and four runs across the last five games. Thairo Estrada will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Story (forearm) isn't starting Friday's game against the Giants, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.

Story exited Thursday's game against San Francisco after he was hit by a pitch in the forearm, but the injury isn't believed to be serious. However, he'll be held out of the lineup for at least one game while Brendan Rodgers (hand) returns to action as the shortstop and Garrett Hampson starts at second base.

Baez was placed on the 10-day injured list with back spasms Friday, retroactive to Aug. 12.

Baez had been out of the lineup since he left Sunday's game against the Phillies, and he'll have additional time to recover after he was diagnosed with back spasms. Since Francisco Lindor (oblique) remains sidelined, Jonathan Villar should take over as the primary shortstop, while J.D. Davis will likely see increased time at third base. It's not yet clear whether Baez will be forced to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the IL.

Crawford signed a two-year, $32 million contract extension with the Giants on Friday, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford is on pace for a career year in 2021, as he's slashing .296/.364/.540 with 19 home runs, 69 RBI, 58 runs and nine stolen bases in his 11th season with the Giants. His contract extension will keep him in San Francisco through the 2023 season.

Baez (back) is not in the lineup Friday against the Dodgers, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

Baez hasn't been in the lineup since Sunday as he continues to deal with tightness in his lower back. His only appearance during that stretch came as a pinch hitter Wednesday. Jonathan Villar will receive another start at shortstop in his place for the Mets.