MLB Player News

Story (finger) isn't starting Friday's game against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Story will be out of the lineup for a third consecutive game as he continues to deal with a finger injury. Whether he's available off the bench remains to be seen, but Jeter Downs will start at the keystone and bat ninth Friday.

Berti was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain Friday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Berti was removed from Thursday's game against the Pirates with what was described as a mild groin strain, but the issue will still force him to spend time on the injured list. The 32-year-old won't be eligible to return until at least July 25, and it's possible that he'll see a slight decrease in playing time upon his return since Jorge Soler (pelvis) was reinstated from the IL on Friday.

Rojas (mouth) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Friday against the Phillies, Joe Frisaro of ManOnSecondBaseball.com reports.

Rojas was removed from Thursday's contest versus the Pirates after he lost a tooth on a collision with Oneil Cruz in the ninth inning, but he'll be ready to go Friday after undergoing a dental procedure. The shortstop has produced a .262 average with four runs, an RBI and two stolen bases over 42 at-bats in July.

Smith, who was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on June 13, has produced a .208/.257/.228 slash line over his first 25 games with the Aviators.

Smith has alarmingly struck out at a higher clip (31.2 percent) with Las Vegas than he did with the Athletics (27.8 percent), and his batting average and OBP are only marginally better than the .180 and .216 figures he generated at the big-league level. The 26-year-old did post a .285 average and .931 OPS with Triple-A Buffalo in the Blue Jays organization last season, and he figures to remain at Las Vegas trying to iron out the kinks unless injuries necessitate a promotion.

Tovar (groin) won't be available for Saturday's All-Star Futures Game, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

The Rockies' top prospect remains on Double-A Hartford's 7-day injured list while he continues to recover from a groin injury that has kept him out of action since June 29. The organization is hoping the 20-year-old infielder will be ready to play again shortly after the All-Star break.

Swanson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Thursday's win over the Nationals.

The shortstop took Anibal Sanchez deep in the first inning during a game in which Atlanta never trailed. Swanson is slashing .300/.333/.483 through 14 games in July, and with 15 homers and 14 steals through 91 contests on the season, he's on track for his first career 25/25 campaign.

Adames went 1-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base in Thursday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Giants.

Adames got aboard on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on a wild pitch and stole third in the first inning. The shortstop has hit safely in eight of 12 games in July, going 11-for-49 (.224) with three home runs and two steals in that span. For the season, he's slashing .214/.287/.470 with 18 homers, 50 RBI, 46 runs scored, three steals and 14 doubles. While his average is nothing special, he's on pace for a career year in the counting stats.

Velazquez stole a base as a pinch runner in Thursday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Astros.

Velazquez replaced Michael Stefanic atop the lineup, recording a steal in the eighth inning. Through nine games in July, Velazquez has two steals, but he's gone just 2-for-15 (.133) at the plate and appears unlikely to escape a bench role. The shortstop is slashing .170/.211/.266 with five home runs, 12 steals, 20 RBI and 23 runs scored in 234 plate appearances this year.

Bichette went 0-for-2 with two walks and a stolen base in a 3-1 loss Thursday against Kansas City.

Hitting cleanup for the first time since May 27, Bichette walked in the first and eighth innings and added a stolen base. The 24-year-old has reached base safely in 17 of his last 18 contests, compiling a .296/.351/.451 with two homers and two stolen bases in 77 plate appearances. While his .734 OPS this season is below his career .818 mark, much of that has to do with an early-season slump as he's produced an .808 OPS over his last 54 contests.

Crawford was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to a bruised right index finger, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Crawford appeared to be uncomfortable during warmups and was ultimately pulled from the lineup after his finger swelled. After the game, Crawford told reporters that he suffered the injury on a defensive play during Seattle's recent series against the Nationals. He should be considered day-to-day.