MLB Player News

Crawford went 1-for-3 with a walk and his second home run of the season in Friday's 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

Crawford teamed up with Evan Longoria to deliver solo shots off Hyun-Jin Ryu in the second inning. The 31-year-old has struggled to the tune of a .205/.259/.333 slash line through 23 games. His career-high 30.6 strikeout percentage is the main culprit of his early slump, as his .275 BABIP isn't that far off from his career norms. Crawford posted strikeout rates below 20 percent in each of the last two seasons, so expect the veteran to make the necessary mechanical adjustments to right the ship eventually.

Seager (hip) is available off the bench Friday and expects to play in Saturday's doubleheader against the Giants, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Manager Dave Roberts also said Seager could play both games of the Saturday's doubleheader, indicating that being held out of Friday's lineup was a precautionary move. The 24-year-old tweaked his hip Wednesday but appears ready for a return to the field for the Dodgers.

Seager (hip) is not in the lineup Friday against the Giants, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Seager tweaked his hip in Wednesday's contest, though it seemed like he was back to full health after undergoing soft-tissue therapy after the game. Regardless, he'll get another night off to rest, allowing Enrique Hernandez to pick up a start at shortstop.

Arcia is not in the starting nine against the Cubs on Friday.

Arcia will occupy a spot on the bench after going 1-for-3 with a double during Thursday's series-opening loss. The 23-year-old will be replaced by Eric Sogard, who is playing shortstop and batting seventh in the order. Expect to see Arcia back in the lineup Saturday.

Ahmed went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run Thursday against the Phillies.

Ahmed's third-inning home run blew the game open, giving the Diamondbacks a 6-0 lead. While he's batting just .194 in 67 at-bats this season, he's provided quality counting stats with four homers, 14 RBI and nine runs scored. His career-best slugging percentage in a season is .419, so there isn't much precedent for this power surge to continue, but his early-season production may be worth riding in deeper leagues.

DeJong went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs in a win over the Mets on Wednesday.

DeJong has now hit safely in five straight games and racked up six extra-base hits (four doubles, two home runs) during that stretch. Many of the 24-year-old's recent hits have been especially timely, as he's notched eight of his 14 RBI on the season over his last seven games.

Owings will start at second base and bat sixth Thursday against the Phillies.

It's only the third start of the season for Owings at the keystone, with the utility man having instead received most of his playing time in right field as a replacement for the injured Steven Souza (pectoral). Souza should be back at some point in May, but until then, the versatile Owings will likely handle at least semi-regular work. Owings has been included in the lineup for four of the Diamondbacks' last five games and is slashing .250/.328/.367 with a home run, seven RBI and a stolen base across 67 plate appearances this season.

Pennington was optioned to Triple-A Louisville on Thursday.

Pennington only recorded 34 plate appearances during his time with Cincinnati, as he struggled to a .138/.265/.138 slash line with zero extra-base hits and 13 strikeouts. The infielder wasn't able to secure more playing time when Eugenio Suarez went down with a thumb injury, and now the latter is returning from the disabled list to take Pennington's spot on the active roster. Additionally, the Reds recalled Rosell Herrera and sent Phillip Ervin down to Louisville.

Herrera will join the Reds prior to Thursday's game against Atlanta.

Herrera has yet to play in a major-league game over the course of his eight-year professional career but was added to Cincinnati's 40-man roster and recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Thursday. Over 15 games with Louisville this season, he's hit .311/.373/.607 with three home runs and 10 RBI. Expect him to be utilized as a reserve utility man who can play all around the diamond.

Seager (hip) received soft-tissue therapy following Wednesday's game and said he feels fine, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Seager said he felt "a little blip" in his hip after he slipped while tracking a popup during the ninth inning Wednesday, though the shortstop -- along with manager Dave Roberts -- didn't seem worried about the issue afterwards. With an off-day Thursday, Seager will hopefully be ready to go for Friday's series opener against the Giants.