MLB Player News

Bichette (knee) will play the field at the Blue Jays' alternate training site Tuesday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bichette took five at-bats as the designated hitter in a simulated game Monday, and he'll test out his health in the field just one day later. Manager Charlie Montoyo said that the team is still taking things day by day to see how he progresses. A weekend return hasn't been ruled out.

Fletcher (ankle) is progressing well and could come off the injured list when first eligible Thursday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

While a Thursday return for Fletcher is not definite, the utilityman appears to be nearly recovered from the left ankle sprain that necessitated a trip to the 10-day IL. "He's doing well," manager Joe Maddon said. "I always hate to give you guys a finish line until I'm sure, but he's progressing well, walking around, I have not heard anything negative from training staff." Fletcher's return would give the Angels' offense a boost given his .313/.377/.438 slash line through 162 plate appearances this season.

Mondesi is starting at shortstop and batting second Tuesday against Cleveland.

He is hitting .375 with one home run, three steals, five strikeouts and zero walks in 16 at-bats over his last four games, which is apparently a large enough sample of quality production for the Royals to bump him from the bottom third to the top third of the lineup. Mondesi had not hit higher than seventh in the order since he hit sixth Aug. 11.

Wendle is not in Tuesday's lineup against the Nationals, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The lefty-hitting Wendle will head to the bench despite a righty (Anibal Sanchez) pitching for the opposition. Brandon Lowe is starting at the keystone while Yoshi Tsutsugo handles the hot corner. Wendle is hitting .190 with one home run, two steals, one walk and 11 strikeouts in 42 at-bats over his last 10 games.

Diaz is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against Oakland, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

The Astros will use the twin bill to give some other bench players some playing time. Jack Mayfield will start at second base and bat ninth in Game 1. Diaz should continue to be the primary Jose Altuve (knee) replacement in the short term.

Story went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a double in Monday's 1-0 loss to the Padres.

Story has been a big source of speed lately, with four stolen bases in his last five games. He now leads the majors with 12 steals. The shortstop also has nine homers, 32 runs scored and 20 RBI while slashing .294/.372/.544 through 40 contests.

Mondesi went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a stolen base in Monday's 5-2 loss to Cleveland.

His seventh inning shot was his first homer of the year and the only run the Royals managed off Zach Plesac. Mondesi has nudged his average back up to .200 with six hits in his last four games, and his AL-leading 11 steals have been the only thing keeping his fantasy value afloat this year.

Rojas went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored Monday against Atlanta.

Rojas recorded his first double in the second inning, driving in Jazz Chisholm. His other RBI proved to be the game-winner, as he hit that one in the top of 10th frame to put the Marlins up 5-4. The performance was Rojas' third multi-hit game since Aug. 21, though he's still hitting .375/.470/.607 across 66 plate appearances for the season.

Baez went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Monday's 5-1 win over the Cardinals.

The three-hit day marked Baez's first multi-hit game since Aug. 24. The shortstop has posted a batting average north of .270 in each of his last five seasons but is currently hitting just .205 through 156 at-bats in 2020. Perhaps his strong performance at the dish Monday can get him on the right track for Chicago's stretch run.

Berti suffered an index finger contusion during Monday's win against Atlanta, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

It's unclear exactly how Berti suffered the injury, but he wasn't in the field during the 10th inning as the Marlins picked up the win. Berti went 1-for-3 with one RBI, one walk and one strikeout prior to exiting the game. Whether he'll miss any additional time remains to be seen.