MLB Player News

Diaz went 1-for-3 with a stolen base, a walk and a run scored in Sunday's 6-1 win over the Athletics.

Diaz made his second straight start as the designated hitter. His steal Sunday was his first of the year on his second attempt -- he hasn't posted more than four steals in a major-league season, and he hadn't successfully notched a theft since 2019 entering this contest. The 31-year-old has often served as a utility man, but regular playing time at designated hitter and in left field could be open with Yordan Alvarez (hand) and Michael Brantley (shoulder) both sidelined. For the season, Diaz is slashing .234/.281/.359 with five home runs, 18 RBI, 17 runs scored and six doubles, and his versatility could be a plus for fantasy managers.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a sacrifice fly in Sunday's 6-5 loss to the Twins.

Seager has turned up his power and hitting in the last week, posting five multi-hit efforts in his last six games. He's gone 11-for-22 (.500) with four homers, nine RBI and six runs scored in that span. Prior to this surge, the shortstop's first year with the Rangers had looked rather disappointing, but he's now slashing .245/.317/.456 in 81 contests. He's added 19 long balls, 45 RBI, 43 runs scored, three stolen bases and 10 doubles. Seager's career high in homers is 26 during the 2016 season, and that's a mark he should have a chance to shatter over the second half of this campaign.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's loss to the White Sox.

Baez started the scoring early, taking Michael Kopech deep two batters into the game to put the Tigers up 2-0. The shortstop is continuing to round into form, with six home runs in his last 20 contests, compared to just three long balls over his first 54 games. Baez can fall into prolonged slumps, but he's a dangerous hitter when he's in a groove.

Rojas was removed in the bottom of the sixth inning of Sunday's 2-0 extra-inning win over the Mets with neck tightness, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports. He went hitless in two plate appearances prior to departing.

Luke Williams came off the bench to replace Rojas, who may have picked up the injury during his second plate appearance a half-inning earlier. He can be viewed as day-to-day heading into Monday's series opener with the Pirates.

Diaz will serve as Houston's designated hitter and No. 6 hitter in Sunday's game in Oakland.

Diaz will make his second straight start out of the DH spot and his sixth in a row overall after going 8-for-22 with two home runs, four doubles, four RBI and four runs over the previous five contests. With the Astros placing Yordan Alvarez (hand) on the 10-day injured list Sunday, Diaz looks like the top candidate to serve as Houston's primary DH in the final week before the All-Star break.

Perdomo went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs and two RBI in Saturday's 9-2 win over the Rockies.

Perdomo has made a splash out of the bottom third of the lineup in both of the past two games, going 4-for-6 with two walks, five runs and two RBI between those contests. He'll look to stay hot while batting out of the No. 8 spot in the order in Sunday's series finale.

Crawford is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford is one of several lefty-hitting regulars who will take a seat with southpaw MacKenzie Gore taking the hill for San Diego. Along with Crawford, Brandon Belt (knee), LaMonte Wade, Luis Gonzalez and Joc Pederson are getting the day off.

Castillo will start in right field and bat sixth in Sunday's game against the Brewers.

Castillo doesn't possess a regular spot in the lineup at any position, but he'll nonetheless pick up his fifth straight start Sunday. The last three of his starts have come in right field, but the Pirates are expected to roll out an outfield of Ben Gamel, Bryan Reynolds and Jack Suwinski in most games. Castillo will get the nod in right field for the series finale while the slumping Suwinski takes a seat.

Pena (illness) is starting at shortstop and batting second Sunday against the Athletics.

The young shortstop sat out the past few days while in the league's health and safety protocols, but he'll rejoin the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Pena has an .818 OPS with three home runs through seven games in July.

Downs went 1-for-1 with an RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Yankees.

Downs scored the game-tying run as a pinch runner for J.D. Martinez in the eighth inning, then plated a run in the 10th inning with his first hit in the majors. He later came around to score the winning run on Alex Verdugo's single. Downs is up with the Red Sox after the team placed Christian Arroyo (groin) on the 10-day injured list Saturday. The rookie could get a start or two at third base pending the status of Rafael Devers (back), who didn't play Saturday and is expected to sit out Sunday.