MLB Player News

Swanson went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI in Saturday's 12-2 win over the Nationals.

After recording only three extra-base hits -- all doubles- - in his first 10 starts of August, Swanson has now gone yard three times in the past two days, bringing his long ball total up to 23 for the season. He'll look to continue mashing in Sunday's series finale, as he'll start at shortstop while batting fifth.

Story went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Giants.

Story doubled and scored in the sixth and eighth innings. Over his last 11 games, he is batting .417 with an OPS of 1.289. On the season, he is slashing .258/.333/.463 with 15 homers, 54 RBI, 59 runs and 17 steals in 426 plate appearances. The 28-year-old is riding a 0.37 BB/K while posting a career-best 22.8 strikeout percentage.

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.