MLB Player News

Baez was traded from the Cubs to the Mets in exchange for an undisclosed return Friday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

The Mets add one of the biggest remaining rental bats with the move. Baez will presumably handle shortstop until Francisco Lindor returns from his oblique strain before one of the two (likely Baez) slides to second base. Baez certainly has his flaws, as seen in his 36.3 percent strikeout rate -- the worst mark among qualified hitters by over four percentage points -- but he remains a very effective player despite his weaknesses. He's homered 22 times and stolen 13 bases to go along with a respectable .248 batting average this season.

Lindor (oblique) played catch and fielded grounders on the field Friday, Tim Healey of Newsday reports.

The news represents the first reports of baseball activity for Lindor since he hit the injured list back in mid-July. He's approximately two weeks into a 3-5 week recovery timeline as he works his way back from an oblique strain, so he should return sometime in early or mid-August. Javier Baez, acquired in a trade from the Cubs on Friday, will likely handle shortstop duties for the Mets until Lindor's return.

Swanson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's win over the Mets.

The shortstop set a new career high in homers with 18 by taking Jeurys Familia deep in the eighth inning. Swanson has hit safely in five straight games and eight of nine, slashing .333/.385/.611 over that nine-game stretch, but his .242/.297/.455 line on the season remains a slight disappointment.

Turner (COVID-19) will be traded from the Nationals to the Dodgers on Thursday along with Max Scherzer, in exchange for Keibert Ruiz, Josiah Gray, Gerardo Carrillo and Donovan Casey, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Turner has had a tremendous season, maintaining a .322/.369/.521 line across 420 plate appearances. Once he is eligible to return from the COVID-19 injured list, he'll add another explosive bat to the Dodgers' lineup. However, his fit with his new team will be interesting, as Corey Seager (hand) already occupies shortstop for the club. Though shortstop has been Turner's sole position since 2017, he had played second base and center field earlier in his career. His debut with the team will be delayed until he clears the health and safety protocols after landing on the injured list earlier Thursday.

Crawford went 1-for-3 with a two-run double and a walk during Thursday's win over the Dodgers.

Crawford hit a pivotal bases-loaded double against David Price in the first inning that set the tone for the rest of the game. The 34-year-old was activated from the injured list ahead of Thursday's contest after spending 10-day minimum on the shelf due to a minor oblique strain. Now slashing .286/.365/.547, Crawford's career year has boosted him as the team leader in hits (79), RBI (60) and home runs (18).

Luciano (shoulder) rejoined the Low-A San Jose lineup Wednesday, starting at shortstop and going 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run in a 4-3 win over Inland Empire.

Luciano missed only a few games due to a sore shoulder, and the fact that he was deployed in the field rather than at designated hitter in his return to action implies the Giants have no concerns about the injury affecting his throwing. One of the youngest players at Low-A, the 19-year-old infielder is holding his own against elder competition, slashing .286/.378/.565 with 17 home runs in 286 plate appearances on the season.

Crawford (oblique) was activated from the injured list as expected Thursday and will bat sixth and play shortstop against the Dodgers.

Crawford didn't wind up needing more than a minimum-length stay on the injured list while he dealt with a mild oblique strain. Prior to suffering the injury, he was in the midst of a career year. He'd never even crossed the .800 OPS mark in his first 10 big-league seasons but owns a .909 OPS thus far this season.

Turner officially landed on the COVID-19 injured list Thursday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The move is an expected one, as Turner left Tuesday's game against the Phillies after being informed of a positive test for the virus. Given that he's a known positive and isn't merely absent due to contact tracing, he'll need more than just a day or two before he's cleared to return.

Baez (heel) is starting Thursday's game against the Reds.

Baez was held out of the lineup in each of the last three games due to a bruised left heel, but he'll play shortstop and bat fourth Thursday. Since the All-Star break, the 28-year-old has hit .293 with a home run, two doubles, nine RBI, six runs and three stolen bases.

Strange-Gordon has one hit in his last 20 at-bats for Triple-A Indianapolis.

The second baseman is among several candidates who might see time at second base in Pittsburgh before season's end. He's likely behind Rodolfo Castro, Wilmer Difo, Tucupita Marcano and Erik Gonzalez (side) in the pecking order, but Strange-Gordon's stolen base ability will put him on the fringe of the fantasy radar if he receives that chance. The 33-year-old is hitting .252 with five homers and six steals split between three Triple-A teams in 2021.