MLB Player News

Anderson returned to the leadoff spot Friday and went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts in the White Sox's 2-1 win over the Mariners.

With Leury Garica, Chicago's latest leadoff hitter, out of the starting lineup due to an elbow bruise, manager Rick Renteria couldn't resist moving a hot-hitting Anderson back to the top of the order. Anderson entered Friday's game riding a seven-game hitting streak, all of which came with him batting in the bottom third of the order, mostly in the seven-hole. It was the first prolonged stretch of success for the 23-year-old shortstop this season, and we're a bit flummoxed why Renteria would mess with that. At any rate, Garcia entered Friday's game as a pinch runner and played an inning in center field, so perhaps the batting order will be restored Saturday.

Correa went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Friday's 5-3 loss to Cleveland.

Correa has knocked in at least one run in eight of his last nine games, plating 12 men during that span while scoring 11 runs himself. The 22-year-old shortstop has a 1.156 OPS in 16 games this month and, with six homers in 38 games, is on pace to reach a third consecutive 20-homer season.

Ahmed is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Padres.

Chris Owings will take over at shortstop after five straight starts there for Ahmed. The 27-year-old hit .250 with a .836 OPS over that five-start stretch, recording a pair of solo home runs along the way. He figures to draw back into the lineup Saturday against Luis Perdomo.

After a terrible start to the campaign, Urena has gone 10-for-31 (.323) with six RBI over his last seven games at Double-A New Hampshire.

Although his average still sits near the Mendoza Line, the highly touted prospect is at least beginning to show signs of life. However, Urena's 22 percent strikeout rate in 141 at-bats remains a point of concern. The shortstop posted a 14 percent mark over 124 at-bats last year for New Hampshire.

Baez is batting seventh and playing shortstop Friday against the Brewers.

He stuffed the box score Thursday, going 3-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBI. Addison Russell, who's sitting Friday, has been erratic this year, and Baez has five home runs in May. Even when Jason Heyward (hand) returns, Baez probably will plug in for at least two starts per week. In the meantime, he'll get a chance against Brewers call-up Paolo Espino.

Mondesi is happy with the progress he's making at Triple-A Omaha, and feels that he's getting back into a rhythm at the plate, Tony Boone of the Omaha World-Herald reports.

The 21-year-old infielder, who was sent to the minors after going 4-for-39 (16 strikeouts) with the Royals, is riding an 11-game hitting streak in Omaha. Mondesi's added 74 points to his batting average (.324) during the impressive run that includes three home runs, six RBI and 10 runs. It remains to be seen when, and if, he'll be recalled. "I'm still working on my stuff," Mondesi said. "I'm really happy I'm getting back into my rhythm. And being around these guys is a lot of fun. I've just got to keep doing my job and keep playing hard."

Anderson went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Mariners.

Anderson's first April in the majors didn't go so well but he's turned a corner, having hit safely in seven straight games. That includes multiple hits in the last four and extra-base hits in the last three. Perhaps removing the pressure of batting at the top of the order has helped fuel his turnaround. Anderson has taken a shine to hitting out of the seven-hole, where he's 11-for-23 with just four strikeouts in six games.

Seager went 1-for-3 with two walks in Thursday's 7-2 win over the Marlins.

The 23-year-old is slumping overall in May but he's now hit safely in four of his last five games. What's been missing is the power, as Seager has just five extra-base hits, including just one homer, in 68 plate appearances during the month. Although his hard contact has dropped from April's excellent 53.5 percent figure, it remains a solid 34.0 percent; therefore, it could be just a matter of time before Seager experiences a power surge.

Baez went 3-for-5 with a grand slam, five RBI and two runs during Thursday's win over Cincinnati.

This was a juicy matchup for Baez with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field and facing a rookie southpaw. After posting a .359 wOBA against left-handed hurlers last year, he'd struggled against them this season and had positive regression of his .200 mark entering Thursday's game. Baez can be a frustrating fantasy own, but he's been scorching hot in May with five homers, 14 RBI, 11 runs and two stolen bases. He's probably never going to hit for a plus average, but Baez can provide solid counting stats. His eligibility at multiple position is also a sneaky asset.

D'Arnaud was designated for assignment Thursday, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Hector Velazquez was brought up from Triple-A Pawtucket to start Thursday's game against the A's, so Boston opted to designate d'Arnaud for assignment. D'Arnaud has appeared in just two games since being acquired by the Red Sox, during which he's gone 1-for-2.