MLB Player News

The Red Sox recalled Downs from Triple-A Worcester on Monday.

Downs was a big enough prospect to be a key part of the return in the trade which sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers prior to the 2020 season, but he's had a difficult time at the plate for his new organization. After hitting .190/.272/.333 in 99 Triple-A games last season, he's managed a .180/.297/.397 line in 53 games at that level in 2022. His strikeout rate was north of 30 percent in both seasons. There's potential for an interesting power-speed combo here, as he homered 25 times and stole 29 bases in 152 games since the start of last year, but he'll need to make far more contact if he's to be a viable major-league regular.

Story went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, a walk and an additional run Sunday in the Red Sox's 6-4 win over the Cardinals.

Story's second-inning, two-out blast off St. Louis starter Andre Pallante ended a 20-game home-run drought, during which the 29-year-old contributed only six extra-base hits (all doubles). Aside from a one-week stretch in late May in which he slugged seven home runs and drove in 21, Story's first season in Boston has largely been a disappointment. He'll enter Monday's series opener against the Tigers with a .221/.304/.411 slash line and a 31.2 percent strikeout rate, his highest percentage since the 2017 campaign.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two steals in Sunday's win over the Cubs.

Swanson's two scores came on a Travis d'Arnaud homer in the first inning and an Austin Riley double in the fifth. He also swiped two bags against Kyle Hendricks to give him 11 this season. The shortstop has been on fire in June, with at least one hit in 15 of 17 games, including eight multi-hit games. Swanson is slashing .362/.443/.551 this month and has raised his season batting average to .294.

Baez went 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, a walk and a run scored in a 7-3 win over Texas on Sunday.

Baez singled and stole a base in the first and walked in the third. In the fifth, he reached on a fielder's choice, swiped second and came around to score. The 29-year-old has hit safely in four straight contests, going 4-for-15 with a homer. He's yet to put together one of his typical hot streaks and is hitting just .167 in 173 plate appearances since May 1.

Turner went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and three strikeouts in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Guardians.

Turner's single led to an error that allowed the Dodgers' third run to score in the seventh inning. He promptly stole second, but he was left on base. The shortstop extended his hitting streak to 12 games, a span in which he's gone 16-for-49 (.327), though he's struck out three times in each of his last two contests. He's now slashing .301/.352/.480 with nine home runs, 14 steals, 49 RBI, 33 runs scored, two triples and 15 doubles through 281 plate appearances. With Mookie Betts (ribs) on the injured list, Turner should get an extended look as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter for at least a week.

Mateo went 0-for-2 with a stolen base during Sunday's 2-1 win over the Rays.

Mateo wasn't able to generate much offensive production during Sunday's low-scoring matchup, but he stole his 17th base of the season. The 26-year-old has hit just .063 with an RBI and five strikeouts over the last five games, but he ranks third in the majors with 17 stolen bases to begin the season.

The Pirates plan to call up Cruz from Triple-A Indianapolis in advance of Monday's game against the Cubs, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Cruz's impending promotion comes after he was withheld from the Indianapolis lineup Sunday, with the 23-year-old concluding his time at Triple-A with a .233/.337/.424 slash line to go with nine home runs and 11 stolen bases across 246 plate appearances. According to Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington reiterated in an interview earlier Sunday that the organization views Cruz as a shortstop, so he's expected to fill an everyday role at that position even though he's also received some exposure in left field at Triple-A this season. With Cruz in line to take over as Pittsburgh's primary shortstop, Diego Castillo is expected to transition into more of a utility role.

The Nationals granted Strange-Gordon his unconditional release Sunday, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.

Though Strange-Gordon cleared waivers after Washington designated him for assignment last week, he wasn't interested in reporting to Triple-A Rochester and will instead explore his options on the open market. Before being dropped from the 40-man roster, Strange-Gordon slashed .305/.305/.356 with three stolen bases across 59 plate appearances.

Diaz (shoulder) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz was removed from Saturday's game with left shoulder discomfort and will be sidelined for at least one contest. Mauricio Dubon will take over at shortstop for the Astros for the series finale versus Chicago. According to Rome, Diaz said he needs to meet with a doctor before a determination is made on whether he'll require an MRI, so the 31-year-old doesn't seem likely to be available off the bench Sunday.

Arcia is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs.

Arcia will head to the bench after starting each of the past four games at the keystone while going 7-for-16 with two home runs, a double, a walk, four RBI and three runs. Phil Gosselin will get the nod at second base in his 2022 debut with Atlanta, but Arcia looks poised to handle a full-time role at the position while Ozzie Albies (foot) is likely sidelined for at least two months.