MLB Player News

Cruz went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Cubs.

The rookie went yard in the seventh inning to spoil Keegan Thompson's shutout bid and provide Pittsburgh with its only bright spot on the day. Cruz has a six-game hit streak going, but he's still only slashing .221/.252/.442 through his first 30 big-league contests with a 35.3 percent strikeout rate. His six homers and four steals are a reminder of his impressive upside, however.

Abrams (biceps) isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers.

Abrams hasn't played since the Padres' first game after the All-Star break, and he'll remain sidelined in Wednesday's series finale as he continues to deal with a biceps injury. His next chance to return to the lineup is Friday against the Twins.

Duran went 1-for-2 with an RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to Seattle.

Duran, who opened the game on the bench after making five consecutive starts, pinch hit for third baseman Josh Smith with lefty reliever Ryan Borucki on the mound. Duran flied out in his first at-bat but gave Texas a brief lead in the top of the ninth inning with a single, giving him hits in all six games since the break. Of the five Rangers to have started at third base in 2022, Duran's the only one who hasn't been subject to the lefty-righty platoon decisions often employed by manager Chris Woodward.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Rays.

Mateo hit an eighth-inning double, stole third and scored on a Trey Mancini sacrifice fly. In his last 11 games, Mateo has gone 13-for-38 (.342) with three steals, a home run, three RBI and seven runs scored. The shortstop is 24-for-28 in stolen base attempts this year while adding seven home runs, 25 RBI, 36 runs scored and a .212/.261/.358 slash line in 90 contests. He's already secured a near-everyday role, but if the increased consistency at the plate sticks, it would make him a more reliable player rather than a pure speed threat in fantasy.

Barrero is hitting just .208/.263/.360 with 81 strikeouts in 213 plate appearances at Triple-A Louisville.

Barrero seemingly hasn't recovered as a hitter after having surgery to remove his hamate bone this spring. While it would be capricious to completely write off his chances of competing at the big-league level, his window of doing that with the Reds is closing fast. They arguably have three shortstops in the system that are more highly regarded, with Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain just a level below him at Double-A.

Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 10-3 loss to the Guardians.

Bogaerts doubled in the bottom of the first inning before ripping an RBI single off Bryan Shaw in the third frame. He later added a second two-bagger and came around to score in the eighth. The shortstop has now produced seven multi-hit contests over his last 14 games, raising his average from .306 to .317. Bogaerts is still in the middle of a power drought, though, hitting only two long balls over 50 games since May 28.

Allen is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros.

Allen started the past three contests and will take a seat after going 2-for-10 with an RBI and a run. Jonah Bride will shift to second base while Vimael Machin starts at the hot corner.

Velazquez is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Royals.

Velazquez started four of the Angels' last five games, but he is hitting just 5-for-28 (.179) in July, so he is not seeing everyday at-bats just yet. Michael Stefanic will enter the lineup in Velazquez's place.

Abrams (biceps) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Tigers.

Abrams has not taken the field since the first game following the All-Star break, and he will remain out of the starting lineup for at least another day. Chances are he will remain out at least until Friday, as the Padres play an afternoon affair Wednesday and have off the following day.

Rojas will sit Tuesday versus the Reds, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Rojas will get a day off after going 1-for-4 in the series opener Monday, extending his hit streak to four games. Joey Wendle will slide over to shortstop while Willians Astudillo takes over at second base.