MLB Player News

Baez went 3-for-5 with a double, a solo home run and three runs scored in Thursday's win over the Reds.

Baez teed off on Anthony DeSclafani in the third inning, blasting a 481-foot home run to extend the Cubs' lead to 3-1. The young star now has 27 home runs this season to go along with a stellar .900 OPS, and he remains an elite option in all fantasy formats.

Manager Ned Yost said Mondesi is out of the lineup Thursday against the Rays due to a minor hamstring issue, Maria Torres of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mondesi apparently suffered the injury in Chicago over the weekend, which helps explain his absence from the starting lineup in three of the previous four games. Fortunately, it doesn't sound like the issue will keep Mondesi sidelined much longer, as Yost noted that the 23-year-old could play (and wants to), but the team doesn't want to push it. Alcides Escobar is covering shortstop Thursday.

Swanson is not in the lineup Thursday against the Marlins.

Swanson is in the midst of an eight-game hitting streak, but he'll head to the bench for Thursday's series opener after starting the previous three games. Charlie Culberson will man shortstop in his stead.

Mondesi is out of the starting lineup against Tampa Bay on Thursday, Steve Carney of 620 WDAE reports.

Mondesi will stick on the bench for a second straight contest as Alcides Escobar gets another start at shortstop. Across 44 games this year, Mondesi is hitting .252/.272/.401 with four home runs, 15 RBI and 16 stolen bases.

DeJong went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Dodgers.

He touched up Kenley Jansen in the ninth to break a 1-1 tie. DeJong has just 14 home runs on the season and his slugging percentage is down nearly 100 points from a year ago, but five of his homers have come in his last 15 games, which may be a sign that he's finally regained full strength in his previously injured left hand.

Rojas went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 9-3 win over the Yankees.

The shortstop's 10th homer of the season was the big blow in a five-run sixth inning that gave the Marlins a lead they wouldn't relinquish. Rojas' .256/.305/.361 slash line on the year limits his fantasy value to NL-only and deep mixed leagues, but his developing power stroke could make the 29-year-old the favorite to win Miami's starting shortstop spot in 2019.

Fletcher exited Wednesday's game against Arizona with a left knee contusion.

Fletcher left the game after fouling a ball off his knee. He's considered day-to-day. The Angles have a day off Thursday, so it's possible that he'll be rested enough to play Friday against the Astros.

Bogaerts went 2-for-5 with a pair of solo home runs in Wednesday's win over the Indians.

Bogaerts clubbed his first homer of the night in the fourth inning to knot the score at 2-2, then tacked another one on for good measure in the seventh. The 25-year-old has driven in six over the last three games, and with 18 home runs and 80 RBI, he's well within reach of his career highs in both departments -- 21 and 89, respectively.

Baez went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Tigers.

The Cubs entered the top of the ninth inning up by only two runs, but Baez broke the game open with his 26th home run of the season, a three-run shot off Victor Alcantara that made it 7-2. Baez has already set new career highs in home runs and RBI (92), as the 25-year-old has played like a legitimate MVP candidate this season.

Mondesi is not in the lineup versus the Rays on Wednesday, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Mondesi will take a seat after going 0-for-4 during Tuesday's affair. That marked the fourth time in his past five starts that Mondesi failed to collect a hit. Alcides Escobar will draw a start at shortstop in his stead.