MLB Player News

Swanson went 3-for-5 with a two-run double and two runs scored in Friday's victory over the Astros.

Swanson scored on Austin Riley's three-run homer in the third inning. Swanson also doubled home Ronald Acuna and Michael Harris in the sixth inning before coming around to score on a Matt Olson sac fly two batters later. Swanson has 11 hits in his last seven games, including three multi-hit efforts. He's slashing .289/.325/.408 for the month and has a .295 batting average on the season.

Witt went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's victory over the Rays.

Witt launched a two-run shot in the third inning that scored MJ Melendez. It was his 16th homer of the year and his first since Aug. 3. After batting .294 in July, the rookie shortstop is batting .215 this month. He has gone 14-for-65 with 13 strikeouts and just two walks. It may be that Witt is just in a funk this month, but it could also be that pitchers have started to figure out the young star and are exploiting a weakness.

Cruz went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts Friday against the Reds.

Cruz managed a hit for the second consecutive game, but that's hardly enough to mask the fact that he's struck out multiple times in each of his last five starts. He's now striking out a 37.6 percent clip across 194 plate appearances. As a result, Cruz is hitting only .198, which offsets his nine home runs and six stolen bases.

Mateo went 1-for-5 with a three-run home run in Friday's 15-10 win over the Red Sox.

Mateo provided the Orioles' first runs of the game with his second-inning blast off Kutter Crawford. He had a hot start to August, but Mateo's now gone seven games without a multi-hit effort as it appears he's cooled off again. For the season, he's slashing .228/.278/.402 with 12 homers, 39 RBI, 50 runs scored and 27 stolen bases through 111 contests.

Bogaerts was ejected from Friday's game against the Orioles for arguing balls and strikes, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Bogaerts went 1-for-3 with a run scored and was tossed after arguing a called third strike during the fourth inning. The 29-year-old should be back in the lineup for Saturday's matchup in Baltimore. Enrique Hernandez moved in to play shortstop in place of Bogarts with Jarren Duran taking over in center field.

Wendle is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Wendle has a .487 OPS through 15 games in August and will head to the bench Friday with lefty Tyler Anderson on the mound for Los Angeles. Jon Berti will shift to the hot corner while Charles Leblanc starts at the keystone.

Duran is not in Friday's lineup against the Twins.

He will sit for the second time in the last three games. Josh Smith, who is hitting eighth against righty Dylan Bundy, may have a loose hold on the strong side of a platoon at third base.

Velazquez isn't starting Friday against the Tigers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez will be out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 2-for-4 with a run, a stolen base and a strikeout Wednesday. David Fletcher is shifting to shortstop while Luis Rengifo (back) returns to the lineup at second base.

Marcano will sit Friday versus the Reds.

Marcano will take a seat after he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Thursday's win. Greg Allen will replace him in left field and bat seventh against Cincinnati.

Downs is considered day-to-day due to a left ankle injury, Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Downs exited Thursday's game at Triple-A Worcester after falling while running to second base, and he had to be helped off the field by trainers. However, the team hopes the 24-year-old will be able to avoid a trip to the injured list.