MLB Player News

Franco (quadriceps) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list either Sunday or Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco appeared in his fifth rehab game Friday with Triple-A Durham, and he's rejoining the big-league club Saturday to be evaluated before potentially being activated. The 21-year-old could be back for Sunday's series finale versus Pittsburgh, but the team may opt to take advantage of Monday's scheduled day off and instead give him an extra day before reinstating him ahead of Tuesday's matchup with Milwaukee.

Pena (thumb) will likely be reinstated from the 10-day injured list prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena was eligible to return from the IL as early as Friday, but the Astros wanted to give him a few extra days to rest prior to returning to game action. Assuming the 24-year-old is activated Sunday, he'll be able to rest during the Astros' scheduled day off Monday to help ease him back into action. Once he's officially activated, Pena will reclaim his role as Houston's primary shortstop after he slashed .277/.333/.471 with nine homers, 27 runs, 27 RBI and six stolen bases to begin the season.

Anderson isn't starting Saturday against the Orioles.

Anderson started in four of the last five games and went 5-for-19 with three runs, a walk and three strikeouts during that time. However, he'll get a breather Saturday while Leury Garcia shifts to shortstop with Lenyn Sosa starting at the keystone.

Turner went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Friday's 4-1 win over Atlanta.

His fifth-inning blast off Ian Anderson gave the Dodgers an insurance run. Turner has at least three hits in three of the last four games and has hit safely in 15 of the last 16, slashing a sizzling .388/.417/.642 over that stretch with five of his 10 homers and four of his 14 steals on the year, along with 10 RBI and 14 runs.

Berti went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's 5-3 loss to the Mets.

Despite reaching base three times, Berti didn't find his usual success as a runner. He got picked off at first base by Taijuan Walker in the first inning, then got thrown out trying to steal second in the ninth -- the first time Berti's been caught stealing since April 28, snapping a streak of 20 straight pilfers. The 32-year-old utility man is in no danger of losing playing time however, given his .318/.389/.400 slash line in 22 contests in June.

Lindor went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Friday's 5-3 win over the Marlins.

The shortstop connected on a solo shot off Sandy Alcantara in the first inning before providing the game-winning hit with a bases-loaded double in the sixth. Lindor is hitting only .212 (17-for-80) in June, but he's still been somewhat productive with four homers, a steal, seven runs and 14 RBI through 20 games.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in a 5-1 win against the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Baez stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and none out in the third inning and crushed a Merrill Kelly curveball 459 feet to left center for his third homer in as many games. The knock extended the 29-year-old's hitting streak to a modest eight games, during which Baez is 12-for-31 with four long balls and two doubles, upping his season line to .216/.258/.378.

Crawford (knee) is in the lineup for Friday's game against the Reds, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Crawford missed the past two games after suffering a bruised left knee Tuesday, but he's tentatively in the lineup for Friday's contest. The 35-year-old will need to go through a pre-game workout before being fully cleared to take the field, but as of now he's expected to play versus Cincinnati.

Velazquez will sit Friday against the Mariners, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Velazquez remains the Angels' primary shortstop despite the fact that he's hitting just .176/.223/.271 on the year. Tyler Wade will get the start on this occasion.

Pena (thumb) said Friday that he's feeling great, but he won't be activated off the injured list just yet, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Friday is the first day that Pena is eligible to return from the injured list, but despite the fact that he seemingly feels fine, he'll wind up missing at least one more day. The Astros have yet to specify exactly when he'll be back, but it looks as though he should return within the next few days.