MLB Player News

Story (wrist) has taken batting practice and hit off a machine this week, Jake Crouse of MLB.com reports.

It's been nearly a month since Story was placed on the injured list with what was eventually diagnosed as a hairline fracture in his right wrist. His recent work at PNC Park indicates he should soon be ready to begin a rehab assignment, if he responds well to the increased activity.

Downs exited Thursday's game with Triple-A Worcester due to a left leg injury, Joe McDonald of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports.

Downs fell on his way to second base after lining a ball into left field, and he remained down momentarily before being helped off the field by trainers. There's no official diagnosis, but a trip to the minor-league injured list seems possible.

Luciano (back) will start at shortstop for High-A Eugene on Thursday after being reinstated from the 7-day injured list a day earlier, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports.

Luciano came off the bench Wednesday in his first game action for Eugene since June 3, but he should take on an everyday role for the High-A club beginning with Thursday's contest. The 20-year-old was shut down for nearly two months due to the lower-back strain before he was cleared to begin a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League. For the season, Luciano is hitting .286 with eight home runs and a 9.3 percent walk rate across 165 plate appearances for Eugene.

Velazquez went 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base Wednesday in a loss to Seattle.

Velazquez singled and stole second base in the third inning, and he subsequently scored the Angels' first run on a David Fletcher base hit. Velazquez has gone through a few base-stealing spurts this season, though this was his first theft since July 14. He's been caught on the basepaths only once in 14 tries, but his opportunities to run have been limited by a .182 batting average and .226 on-base percentage.

Franco (wrist) is not in the lineup Thursday for Triple-A Durham, according to play-by-play announcer Patrick Kinas.

Franco will sit for a second straight day while undergoing treatment on his sore wrist. According to Durham manager Brady Williams, Franco's absence is "more about pain tolerance and being pain-free" while swinging than anything else. It's unclear when Franco will take the field next, but it's a good sign that he has not been recalled from his rehab assignment.

Crawford went 1-for-2 with a bases-loaded walk, another two base-on-balls and a run in a win over the Angels on Wednesday.

The veteran shortstop pushed his season on-base percentage to .341 with his busy night, which currently qualifies as his highest figure since his rookie 2017 season in Philadelphia. Crawford's offensive production has ignited over the past five games, a stretch during which he's hitting .389 (7-for-18) with a double, three RBI, four total walks and three runs.

Turner will start at shortstop and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Brewers, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

He'll be setting the table for the Dodgers for the first time since July 2 while normal leadoff man Mookie Betts receives a rare day off. By his lofty standards, Turner is off to a somewhat muted start to August, as he's slashed .274/.288/.419 with two home runs, three doubles, 10 runs, 10 RBI and two stolen bases in 15 games on the month.

DeJong is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies, according to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.

DeJong went hitless and struck out seven times over his last three games, so manager Oliver Marmol decided to hold him out for the first time this month. Tommy Edman will start at shortstop for the Cardinals on Thursday afternoon.

Adrianza (illness) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Triple-A Gwinnett.

Since Adrianza has been on the IL for less than a week, he likely won't need more than one or two games in the minors to get comfortable at the plate and in the field. Adrianza will be eligible for activation Saturday and should replace Ryan Goins as Atlanta's top utility man once he rejoins the roster.

Grissom went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored and one steal in Wednesday's loss against the Mets.

The 21-year-old continued to produce with another fruitful night at the plate. He has hit safely in seven of his eight games this season, generating multi-hit efforts in five of those contests. The rookie also now has 30 stolen bases across all levels this season. Given his early success, it will be interesting to see how skipper Brian Snitker manages Grissom's playing time once Ozzie Albies (foot) returns to action.