MLB Player News

Franco isn't starting Monday against the Mariners, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Franco will get a breather for the first time since July 19 after he went 6-for-11 with two triples, a double, four RBI and three runs across the last three games. Joey Wendle will start at shortstop and bat fifth.

Manager Dave Roberts said he's hopeful Turner (illness) will be cleared to return from the COVID-19 injured list as soon as Friday or Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Before dealing Turner away to the Dodgers in a blockbuster trade, the Nationals placed him on the COVID-19 IL on July 29, two days after he tested positive for the virus. Turner will have to complete a 10-day quarantine before he's eligible to return from the IL, but assuming he went into isolation the day he tested positive, he may end up missing the minimum amount of time. Assuming Turner is testing negative by the time 10 days are up and he isn't experiencing any side effects from the virus, a weekend debut for the Dodgers would seem realistic. After making all 96 of his starts with the Nationals at shortstop this season, Turner is expected to settle in as the Dodgers' primary second baseman with Corey Seager already in the fold at shortstop.

Franco went 2-for-3 with a run scored Sunday in the Rays' 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

After turning in his third consecutive two-hit performance, Franco's batting average is now up to a palatable .250 through his first 30 games in the big leagues. The Rays' ample depth in the infield makes predicting the team's everyday lineup a difficult endeavor, but Franco status as a switch hitter will put him less at risk of falling into a platoon than the likes of Joey Wendle, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe.

Cleveland optioned Chang to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Rather than Chang, Cleveland will keep Owen Miller around as a short-side platoon partner at first base with the lefty-hitting Bobby Bradley, who was reinstated from the bereavement list Monday in a corresponding move. Chang appeared in 11 games during his latest stint in the big leagues, going 7-for-29 with three runs and two RBI.

General manager Dayton Moore acknowledged Monday that the Royals can't realistically count on Mondesi (oblique) to handle an everyday role in 2022 in light of his injury history, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports. "No. You can't [count on Mondesi playing every day]...We're learning that we're going to have to manage his workloads in ways that he may not be a guy that plays more than 100 games...We can't count on him as an everyday player."

Given the overwhelming positivity GMs tend to express about players like Mondesi who are viewed as cornerstone pieces for their franchises, Moore's admission is surprising, and probably a fair assessment at this stage. Residing on the injured list for the third time this season, Mondesi hasn't played since June 20 due to a left oblique strain, after he previously missed action with a right oblique strain and a left hamstring strain. Mondesi also required surgery on his left shoulder in the 2019-20 offseason, but the slew of lower-half injuries he's dealt with in 2021 are probably the greater concern for his long-term outlook, given how reliant his game is on speed. The 26-year-old is said to be progressing from his latest health-related setback, but the Royals haven't established a timeline for him to begin a rehab assignment, much less return from the 10-day IL.

Strange-Gordon was released by the Pirates on Sunday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

Strange-Gordon signed a minor-league deal with the Pirates in early July but struggled in 16 appearances with Triple-A Indianapolis with a .661 OPS. He's also spent time with the Reds, Brewers and Cubs this year without receiving a big-league opportunity.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Wendle has sat twice in three games against a right-handed starting pitcher, with his lack of usage seemingly signaling that he'll be the odd man out more often than not in the crowded Tampa Bay infield. The downturn in playing time comes even while Wendle performed respectably in July, finishing the month with a .304/.328/.429 slash line in 15 games.

Chang is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Owen Miller will step in at first base for Chang, who started each of the past three games at the position and went 2-for-11 with a triple, a double, two RBI and two runs. Chang's path to regular playing time at first base will likely be blocked soon, as Bobby Bradley (personal) could return from the bereavement list during the upcoming week.

Crawford went 1-for-4 with an RBI single, a walk and a stolen base in Saturday's 8-6 win over Houston.

The shortstop made his biggest impact in the sixth inning, knocking in Darin Ruf on a single for the go-ahead run. Crawford then stole second, but he didn't come around to score. The 34-year-old posted a stunning .455/.508/.636 slash line in 15 games in July, although he missed time with an oblique injury after the All-Star break. He's posted career highs in batting average (.288) and stolen bases (eight) while adding 18 homers, 62 RBI and 50 runs scored through 325 plate appearances overall.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two home runs and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-6 loss to San Francisco.

Diaz was caught up in the homer dome at Oracle Park, as the two teams combined for eight long balls. Since being activated off the injured list, Diaz is 8-for-19 with three home runs, eight RBI and six runs scored. He continues to slot in at third base while Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is on a rehab assignment.