MLB Player News

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional run scored in an 8-7 victory over the Brewers on Wednesday.

Cruz blasted a line-drive home run 434 feet over the right field wall in the bottom of the seventh to help power the Pirates to a come-from-behind victory. There have been some growing pains as the electrifying rookie shortstop adjusts to big-league pitching, as Cruz came into the game hitting only .209. However, Cruz's two-hit game lifted his average to .216 and he now has an impressive eight home runs in just 36 games played.

Williams went 3-for-3 with a double, a run scored and three stolen bases in a 3-0 win over the Reds on Wednesday.

Williams had a perfect night at the plate and on the basepaths, rapping out three hits and making three successful steal attempts. He took advantage of Mike Minor's low velocity, and none of the throws from Reds catcher Michael Papierski were even close to getting him out. The performance gives Williams nine steals on the season to go along with a slash line of .269/.347/.358 in 49 games played. The speedy backup infielder has shown he has the potential to steal bases in bunches, but he remains behind call-up Charles Leblanc on the depth chart.

Crawford (knee) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list for Saturday's game at Oakland, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The veteran shortstop began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday and is poised to rejoin the Giants for this weekend's two-game series against the A's. With Thairo Estrada (concussion) also on the IL, Dixon Machado should continue to operate as San Francisco's primary shortstop until Crawford officially rejoins the active roster.

Allen is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Allen started the past four contests and will head to the bench after going 2-for-11 with two doubles and an RBI. Tony Kemp will shift to the keystone while Chad Pinder starts in left field.

Fletcher went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-1 win over Oakland.

Fletcher has been hurt most of the season, so Tuesday was only his 18th game. He led off the home half of the first inning with a solo shot to left field, giving the Angels an early lead that they did not relinquish. The long ball was Fletcher's first of the season, and he's slashing a meager .212/.255/.385 over 55 plate appearances. However, he's shown promising signs since returning from the injured list, going 5-for-14 with three extra-base hits across four games.

Wendle isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Cincinnati.

Wendle has hit just .048 with a double and three strikeouts over the last five games and will get a day off Wednesday. Luke Williams is starting at the keystone and batting eighth.

DeJong will start at shortstop and bat seventh in Wednesday's game against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

DeJong will pick up his fourth start in as many games and looks to have settled back in as the Cardinals' primary shortstop following his recent promotion from Triple-A Memphis. Since returning from an extended stay in the minors to get right at the plate, DeJong has gone 2-for-11 with two home runs and four RBI for St. Louis.

Marcano was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Marcano spent just under a month in the minors but will rejoin the active roster after Yoshi Tsutsugo was designated for assignment. Over 22 major-league games this year, Marcano has slashed .229/.280/.357 with two homers, nine runs, five RBI and a stolen base.

The Reds recalled Lopez from Triple-A Louisville on Wednesday. He'll start at shortstop and bat eighth in Wednesday's series finale in Miami.

Barrero began the season in Louisville and has slashed just .209/.262/.377 with nine homers, 27 runs, 24 RBI and five stolen bases over 55 games with the Triple-A club. In spite of his lackluster performance in the minors, the 24-year-old will join the active roster as infield depth after Brandon Drury was traded to the Padres on Tuesday.

Arcia went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 13-1 win over the Phillies.

Arcia's sixth home run of the season came in the fifth inning, when he took reliever Corey Knebel deep with two outs and a runner on base. With Atlanta cutting bait on the Robinson Cano experiment and not adding further reinforcement in the middle infield other than utility man Ehire Adrianza ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline, Arcia looks poised to serve as the team's everyday second baseman until Ozzie Albies (foot) is ready to return from the injured list later in the season. Arcia will pick up his fifth consecutive start in Wednesday's series finale and will bat eighth.