MLB Player News

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.

Witt went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and a stolen base in a 3-1 win Thursday in Toronto.

Witt hit a solo blast during the fifth inning and added an infield single and a stolen base in the eighth. Over his last 10 games, the 22-year-old is hitting .381/.409/.571 with two homers and thefts. The rookie shortstop has 13 home runs and 17 stolen bases through 85 games, putting him within reach of a potential 30-30 campaign.

Crawford was scratched from the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers for unspecified reasons, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Crawford took the field for warmups but was moving slowly and appeared to be in discomfort. There's no word on the exact nature of the injury. Abraham Toro has entered the lineup to play second base while Dylan Moore shifts to shortstop.

Smith is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Smith has a .244/.327/.366 slash line with one home run, nine RBI and six runs through 11 games in July, and he'll take a seat Thursday with southpaw Marco Gonzales on the mound for Seattle. Charlie Culberson will start at the hot corner and bat ninth.

Baez isn't starting Thursday's game against the Guardians.

Baez will get a breather after he went 5-for-14 with four doubles, three runs, two RBI, a walk and two strikeouts over the last three games. Harold Castro is starting at shortstop and batting third.

Story (finger) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Manager Alex Cora already implied Wednesday that Story wouldn't be available for the final two contests of the series in Tampa Bay, so the second baseman's absence from the starting nine for the second day in a row comes as little surprise. Jeter Downs will pick up another start in place of Story, who disclosed Wednesday that he's unsure if he'll be able to avoid a trip to the injured list ahead of the All-Star break, per Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican. Story was removed from Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay after he was hit by a pitch on the knuckle of his right ring finger.