MLB Player News

Cruz went 3-for-5 with a triple, a double, a run scored and three RBI in Friday's 8-2 win over the Cardinals.

Cruz ripped a two-run triple and scored a run in the fifth inning before knocking an RBI single in the eighth. The electrifying rookie is starting to heat up down the stretch, going 12-for-30 (.400) with six extra-base hits and seven RBI through seven games this month. However, he's also struck out nine times while not drawing a walk during that stretch after another pair of strikeouts Friday. Cruz's season slash line has improved to .226/.273/.457 through 260 plate appearances.

Velazquez isn't starting Friday against the Astros, Edwin Perez of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez started Wednesday against the Tigers and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a walk and two strikeouts. David Fletcher is taking over at shortstop and leading off Friday.

Lopez was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday.

Lopez spent the last month in the minors but will rejoin the Blue Jays ahead of Friday's series opener against the Rangers after Lourdes Gurriel (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Lopez didn't log any at-bats during his earlier stints in the big leagues this year, but he's slashed .302/.379/.433 with three homers, 48 runs, 33 RBI and 14 stolen bases over 83 Triple-A games in 2022.

Chang was designated for assignment by the Rays on Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The move clears space for Wander Franco (wrist) to return from the injured list. Chang hit a respectable .260/.305/.385 (good for a 102 wRC+) in 36 games this season but still owns a poor 76 wRC+ for his career.

Franco (wrist) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Rays were hopeful that Franco would be cleared to return to the lineup Friday against the Yankees, and he was ultimately activated after testing his injury prior to the game. The 21-year-old appeared in three rehab games over the last week and went 6-for-11 with a double, two runs, an RBI and a walk. Franco will reclaim his role as Tampa Bay's everyday shortstop now that he's fully healthy.

Marcano is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Marcano is mired in a 4-for-33 slump and finds himself on the bench for the fourth time in Pittsburgh last six games. Jack Suwinski and Cal Mitchell have settled into the starting roles in left and right field, respectively.

Wendle is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Wendle will take a seat as the Marlins start all right-handed bats versus lefty David Peterson. Jon Berti will slide over to third base as Charles Leblanc enters the lineup at second base and bats seventh against New York.

Crawford isn't in the lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Crawford has gone 4-for-18 with a homer, four RBI and three runs over his six games since the start of September, but he'll be on the bench for the third time in the last four games. Thairo Estrada is starting at shortstop and batting fifth.

Bogaerts (back) is starting at shortstop and batting third Friday versus the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bogaerts is back in the lineup after missing Wednesday's contest with the Rays while dealing with back spasms. The 29-year-old has produced 11 multi-hit efforts in his last 13 games, batting .462 with two homers, 13 RBI, 11 runs and a stolen base over 52 at-bats during that stretch.

Mateo isn't starting Friday against the Red Sox, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mateo started the last two games and went 1-for-6 with a triple, two runs, a walk and two strikeouts. Gunnar Henderson will take over at shortstop and bat fifth Friday.