MLB Player News

Cruz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored Sunday against the Brewers.

Cruz took Trevor Gott yard in the sixth inning to record his fourth home run of the season. He has shown the expected pop in his bat since being promoted June 20, as nine of his 16 hits have gone for extra bases. On the other hand, Cruz has a 34.2 percent strikeout rate which has deflated to his batting average to .213 across 79 plate appearances.

Watson hasn't played for Single-A Jupiter since July 1 due to a disciplinary reason that's being handled internally by the Marlins, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's been a frustrating first full pro season for the 19-year-old, who had a hot start but has seen his slash line sink to .221/.274/.372 due to significant contact issues (39.3 percent strikeout rate). There was an incident a couple weeks ago where Watson struck out and aimed his bat like a gun at the first base umpire who ruled that he went around on a check swing. Given his athletic tools and young age, there's still plenty of time for him to put things together, but how Watson responds upon his return will give some insight into his current makeup and maturity.

Swanson went 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Nationals.

He crossed the plate with the winning run as the phantom runner in the 12th inning on an Austin Riley single. Swanson has recorded three or more hits in four of the last 10 games, and the hot streak has boosted the All-Star's slash line on the season to .302/.357/.491 with 14 homers, 14 steals, 50 RBI and 54 runs through 87 contests.

Arcia is expected to move into a short-side platoon role with Atlanta on track to promote Robinson Cano from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to Monday's game against the Mets, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

When Ozzie Albies fractured his foot June 13 and underwent surgery two days later, Arcia was installed as the team's everyday second baseman. After generating seven hits in his first three starts in place of Albies, Arcia has proceeded to hit .145/.232/.145 over his subsequent 18 games. Atlanta apparently prefers to keep Arcia's top backup at second base, Phil Gosselin, in a utility role, so the lefty-hitting Cano looks as though he'll get a look as the primary option at the keystone as the team aims to extract more production from that position. Arcia, meanwhile, should replace Cano in the lineup versus left-handed pitching and will likely represent Atlanta's top pinch-running option off the bench on days he doesn't start.

Atlanta promoted Grissom from High-A Rome to Double-A Mississippi on Monday, Kiley McDaniel of ESPN.com reports.

The 21-year-old will rise to Double-A after he slashed .312/.404/.487 with 11 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 24 attempts across 344 plate appearances for Rome. Grissom primarily played shortstop with Rome, but he also picked up six starts apiece at second base and third base. His ability to play multiple infield spots could help expedite his arrival to the big leagues if he continues to perform well at the plate at the higher levels of the minors.

Berti went 3-for-4 with a stolen base in Sunday's 2-0 win over the Mets.

After falling in a 3-for-34 (.088) slump over his previous nine games, Berti has gone 6-for-9 with a pair of steals over his last two games. The 32-year-old has been a nightmare for opposing batteries with 27 stolen bases on the year, including 23 in 34 games since the start of June. He currently leads all of baseball in that category and has already cruised past his previous career high of 17 steals set during the 2019 campaign. Berti is now slashing .277/.365/.386 through 211 plate appearances.

Turner went 2-for-5 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's 11-9 win over the Cubs.

Turner provided a two-run single in the third inning to erase an early deficit for the Dodgers. He also stole second, but he was left on base. The speedy shortstop ended the weekend on a high note, though he's hit only .179 (5-for-28) in his last seven contests. Despite the mini-slump, Turner is slashing .301/.350/.474 with 17 stolen bases, 11 home runs, 61 RBI and 46 runs scored through 85 games.

Bichette went 3-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Mariners.

Bichette saw a 13-game hitting streak end Saturday, but he was right back at it Sunday with his fourth three-hit game this season. He hit a two-run single in the fifth inning and a go-ahead solo shot in the seventh, but the Blue Jays fell short in the end. The shortstop has gone 13-for-45 (.289) in July, and he's up to a .259/.301/.430 slash line with 14 homers, 48 RBI, 47 runs scored and five stolen bases through 86 games overall.

Fletcher (hip) is slated to start a minor-league rehab assignment Tuesday, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

David Fletcher underwent surgery May 10 and was subsequently transferred to the 60-day injured list. He's recently been progressing in his rehab program and now appears ready to resume playing in games. Per Jeff Fletcher, David Fletcher is expected to return to the big-league club July 28. He'll likely have a starting spot waiting for him, but it's uncertain whether it will be at second base, third base or shortstop.

Pena went 0-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Pena missed three games due to the league's healthy and safety protocols. He was able to contribute a sacrifice fly for the Astros' fifth run in the contest in his return from the short absence. The rookie shortstop is 7-for-33 (.212) with three home runs, five RBI and six runs scored through seven games in July, though a four-hit, two-homer game July 3 against the Angels helped steady his recent numbers. Overall, he's slashing .266/.314/.464 through 258 plate appearances.