MLB Player News
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Dansby Swanson SS | CHC
Braves' Dansby Swanson: Moves up to No. 2 spot Sunday
Swanson will start at shortstop and bat second Sunday against the Nationals.
Usual No. 2 hitter Brandon Phillips is receiving a day off in the series finale, so Swanson isn't expected to stick in the upper third of the lineup heading into the Braves' four-game slate with the Pirates. After a miserable start to the season, Swanson has at least turned the corner over the last two weeks, recording hits in all but one of his last 12 games while batting .341.
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Johan Camargo SS | SF
Braves' Johan Camargo: Optioned to Triple-A
Camargo was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Sunday, Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan reports.
With the Braves bringing in Matt Adams via trade to fill in for the injured Freddie Freeman (wrist), the team didn't have room available to carry Camargo as an extra infielder. During his second stint with the big club, Camargo went 1-for-7 with a run scored.
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Trea Turner SS | PHI
Nationals' Trea Turner: Picks up two hits Saturday
Turner went 2-for-4 with an RBI in Saturday's loss to the Braves.
The 23-year-old's been stuck in a slump since the calendar flipped to May, slashing .178/.208/.288 on the month with 20 strikeouts in 17 games. Turner is starting to show signs of life at the plate, however, putting together two multi-hit performances and stealing three bases over the last five games, so a breakout could be brewing.
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Brandon Crawford SS | STL
Giants' Brandon Crawford: Collects three hits Friday
Crawford went 3-for-5 with a double and a run in Friday's comeback win over the Cardinals.
Friday's multi-hit effort brought the shortstop's batting average up to .276 on the year. Even though his average and slugging percentage (.438) sit near last year's marks, Crawford hasn't been as useful in fantasy as he was last year due to a significant drop in RBI production. RBI -- like wins for pitchers -- are dependent on others' production in conjunction with the player, and the Giants have been one of the worst run-producing teams in the majors this season. The recent return of Denard Span to the top of the lineup has provided a spark for San Francisco, so his presence may lead to more at-bats for Crawford with men on base.
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Dansby Swanson SS | CHC
Braves' Dansby Swanson: Crushes fourth home run Friday
Swanson went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer and two walks in Friday's win over the Nationals.
The highly-touted shortstop has struggled on the season to the tune of a .201/.280/.309 slash line, but he's seemingly heating up. He now has hits in 10 of his last 11 games and is seven for his last 18 at the plate, including two home runs and five RBI. His progress is definitely worth monitoring, as Swanson looks to be trending in the right direction for the Braves.
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Chris Owings SS | LAD
Diamondbacks' Chris Owings: Doubles twice in three-hit performance
Owings went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored in Friday's 10-1 win over the Padres.
Owings recorded both of his doubles within the first two frames, as the Diamondbacks were able to bat around during an eight-run first inning. With David Peralta (glute) returning from a three-game absence, Owings moved down from the No. 2 spot to seventh in the order, but his lineup placement shouldn't dissuade fantasy owners from keeping him active in all formats. He's turned in multi-hit showings in four of his last five starts.
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Nick Ahmed SS | TEX
Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed: Takes breather Friday
Ahmed is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.
Chris Owings will take over at shortstop after five straight starts there for Ahmed. The 27-year-old hit .250 with a .836 OPS over that five-start stretch, recording a pair of solo home runs along the way. He figures to draw back into the lineup Saturday against Luis Perdomo.
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Cubs' Javier Baez: Earns another start Friday
Baez is batting seventh and playing shortstop Friday against the Brewers.
He stuffed the box score Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBI. Addison Russell, who's sitting Friday, has been erratic this year, and Baez has five home runs in May. Even when Jason Heyward (hand) returns, Baez probably will plug in for at least two starts per week. In the meantime, he'll get a chance against Brewers call-up Paolo Espino.
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Corey Seager SS | TEX
Dodgers' Corey Seager: On base three times Thursday
Seager went 1-for-3 with two walks in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Marlins.
The 23-year-old is slumping overall in May but he's now hit safely in four of his last five games. What's been missing is the power, as Seager has just five extra-base hits, including just one homer, in 68 plate appearances during the month. Although his hard contact has dropped from April's excellent 53.5 percent figure, it remains a solid 34.0 percent; therefore, it could be just a matter of time before Seager experiences a power surge.
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Cubs' Javier Baez: Drives in five runs against Reds
Baez went 3-for-5 with a grand slam, five RBI and two runs during Thursday's win over Cincinnati.
This was a juicy matchup for Baez with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field and facing a rookie southpaw. After posting a .359 wOBA against left-handed hurlers last year, he'd struggled against them this season and had positive regression of his .200 mark entering Thursday's game. Baez can be a frustrating fantasy own, but he's been scorching hot in May with five homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs and two stolen bases. He's probably never going to hit for a plus average, but Baez can provide solid counting stats. His eligibility at multiple position is also a sneaky asset.