MLB Player News

Mateo went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Sunday in the Orioles' 12-8 loss to the Rays.

Mateo was idle for a few days last week due to left hip and lower-back discomfort, but he returned with a bang for the final two games of the series with Tampa Bay, going 3-for-9 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base between the contests. Since being claimed off waivers from San Diego on Aug. 5, Mateo has emerged as a cornerstone piece in the Baltimore infield. In 19 games with his new team, Mateo is slashing .353/.380/.515 with eight extra-base hits, four steals, five runs and five RBI.

Story went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and a walk in Sunday's 5-0 triumph over the Dodgers.

Story reached base three times, walking in the third inning, doubling and scoring in the seventh and singling in the ninth. This was the All-Star shortstop's second game back following a few games on the bench with a leg injury, and Story rebounded by breaking out of an 0-for-20 stretch that encompassed his previous six games.

Williams tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and will have to complete a quarantine of at least 10 days before he's eligible to rejoin the Phillies, Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Williams was one of three players placed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday, with catcher Andrew Knapp and starting pitcher Zach Eflin joining him. According to Salisbury, all three players are fully vaccinated and weren't subject to testing unless they felt ill, an indication that Williams, Knapp and Eflin are all experiencing symptoms on some level. The Phillies called up outfielder Jorge Bonifacio from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday to fill Williams' spot on the active roster.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Sunday's 9-4 win over Washington.

The 28-year-old had just two hits in 12 at-bats during this weekend's series versus Washington, but both knocks left the yard. Baez is up to 26 homers, 72 RBI, 57 runs scored and 13 stolen bases through 426 plate appearances. He's batting just .209 (13-for-62) with four homers and three doubles through 17 games since he joined the Mets at the trade deadline.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a hit by pitch in Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit.

The 25-year-old went yard in the fourth inning to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. Smith also committed an error in the sixth that ultimately allowed Detroit to get on the board, but starter Jose Berrios was able to limit the damage there. Smith has just three hits in 19 at-bats this season in his first taste of major-league action. He should see regular playing time at third base with Cavan Biggio (elbow) and Santiago Espinal (hip) both on the injured list.

Bichette went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit.

While August hasn't been kind to the shortstop, he's now hit safely in four straight games, his longest streak since a six-game stretch in late June and early July. Bichette has maintained a .286/.336/.457 slash line with 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 95 runs scored and 20 stolen bases through 551 plate appearances.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Tyler Wade will get the nod at shortstop in the series finale, ending a streak of nine consecutive starts for Velazquez. Though Velazquez performed well during that stretch -- he hit .290 with five extra-base hits and three stolen bases -- and clearly appears to be ahead of Wade on the depth chart, both players are expected to see their playing time dwindle in the near future. Gleyber Torres (thumb) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Sunday and is expected to return from the injured list next weekend, at which point Velazquez will shift into a utility role.

Correa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

He'll be getting a planned rest day after starting at shortstop in each of Houston's last 20 games while slashing .293/.386/.480 over that stretch. Aledmys Diaz will step in at shortstop for Correa.

Smith will start at third base and bat eighth Sunday against the Tigers.

After making starts at three different positions -- left field, third base and first base -- over Toronto's last three contests, Smith could find a more permanent home at the hot corner in the short term. With Santiago Espinal (hip) joining Cavan Biggio (elbow) on the injured list Sunday, Smith's only competition for reps at third base is likely utility man Breyvic Valera, whose playing time has fallen by the wayside of late.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Anderson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs due to recurring leg soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The same injury cropped up last weekend and kept Anderson on the bench for four straight games, but he returned to the lineup Wednesday and had started at shortstop in each of the White Sox's last four contests while going 5-for-17 with two doubles, four runs and two RBI. While it's less than ideal that Anderson isn't completely over the issue, La Russa suggested that the 28-year-old will likely be good to go after a day out of the lineup Sunday combined with the team's off day Monday. Fantasy managers looking to deploy Anderson during the White Sox's five-game week will want to ensure he's included in the starting nine Tuesday against the Pirates.