MLB Player News

DeJong (back) remains out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Royals.

Edmundo Sosa will pick up a second straight start at shortstop in place of DeJong, who continues to manage lower-back tightness. According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, DeJong appeared to be participating in baseball activities on the field ahead of the series finale, leaving the Cardinals optimistic he'll avoid the injured list. Jones adds that DeJong hasn't resumed swinging since he was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's 9-4 win, but he's expected to do so in the next day or two before likely rejoining the lineup for Tuesday's series opener versus Milwaukee.

Mondesi experienced oblique tightness during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha and returned to Kansas City on Sunday to be evaluated, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

The 26-year-old joined Omaha in early August for the rehab stint and went 0-for-13 through five games, but he hasn't seen the field since Tuesday due to the oblique tightness. Mondesi landed on the shelf with a strained left oblique June 21, and he was sidelined for the first two months of the season by a strained right oblique. It's unclear which injury he aggravated, but it will push back his recovery timeline regardless. A new timetable for his return should be established once he's reevaluated by the team doctors.

Swanson went 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI in Saturday's 12-2 win over the Nationals.

After recording only three extra-base hits -- all doubles- - in his first 10 starts of August, Swanson has now gone yard three times in the past two days, bringing his long ball total up to 23 for the season. He'll look to continue mashing in Sunday's series finale, as he'll start at shortstop while batting fifth.

Story went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Giants.

Story doubled and scored in the sixth and eighth innings. Over his last 11 games, he is batting .417 with an OPS of 1.289. On the season, he is slashing .258/.333/.463 with 15 homers, 54 RBI, 59 runs and 17 steals in 426 plate appearances. The 28-year-old is riding a 0.37 BB/K while posting a career-best 22.8 strikeout percentage.

Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and a stolen base in Saturday's loss to Houston.

The infielder helped generate a run in the first inning by singling, stealing second and coming around to score on a base hit by Jared Walsh. Of Fletcher's 11 steals this season, six have come in his past 12 games. His .305 average is second on the team to Mike Trout (calf), though Trout has played in only 36 games to Fletcher's 114.

Lindor (oblique) is hoping to skip a rehab assignment once he's cleared for game action, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets are reportedly open to the idea, though they've yet to fully decide on their plans. Lindor has been out for nearly a month with a right oblique strain, so skipping a rehab assignment would be somewhat unusual, but he's seemingly willing to take the risk with the Mets locked into a very tight playoff race.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals due to a tight lower back, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It doesn't sound like DeJong is dealing with a serious injury, but it's not yet clear whether or not he'll be able to return Sunday. Edmundo Sosa starts at shortstop in his absence.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Royals for undisclosed reasons, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

DeJong was not seen on the field for pregame warmups. Edmundo Sosa will take his place at shortstop. The Cardinals have an off day Monday, so it's possible DeJong sits Sunday as well to get three days off to recover from whatever is ailing him.

Story (forearm) is batting third and playing shortstop Saturday against the Giants.

Story was omitted from Friday's lineup after taking a pitch to the forearm Thursday, but his appearance as a pinch hitter Friday suggested he was ready to play again. He's started off the month well, hitting .389 with two home runs, five doubles and six RBI in 11 games since the beginning of August.

Chang went 2-for-3 with a walk, a triple, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 7-4 win over the Tigers.

Called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, Chang celebrated his return to the majors in style, launching a solo shot off Joe Jimenez in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old utility player got the start at third base in this one, but he's seen action at all four infield spots this season for Cleveland and most of his action during this stint could come at first base with Bobby Bradley (knee) sidelined. On the year, Chang is slashing just .195/.234/.346 through 141 plate appearances with three homers and 18 RBI.