MLB Player News

Pennington (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Pennington had an early exit from Thursday's loss to the Cardinals due to some cramping in his left hamstring and the issue has proved to be severe enough to warrant a DL stint. Brendan Ryan will take his place at shortstop Friday and the Angels recalled utility infielder Gregorio Petit to take Pennington's spot on the active roster.

Castro is out of Friday's lineup against the Royals.

After a strong start to his season in the majors, Castro has fallen off the map, now sporting a batting average below the dreaded Mendoza Line. Unless he gets it together at the plate soon, he could find playing time even harder to come by. Kelly Johnson will take over at second base in his stead.

Manager Dusty Wathan said he would not be surprised if Crawford was promoted to Triple-A in the next few weeks, Ryan Lawrence of the Philly Voice reports.

Crawford is hitting .254/.385/.356 with two home runs and four stolen bases in 118 at-bats for Double-A Reading. The numbers don't jump off the page, but his 25 walks to 21 strikeouts shows his mature approach at the plate. He could see time in Philly later this season.

Pennington left Thursday's game with cramping in his left hamstring, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports.

While Pennington was forced from Thursday's game with the injury, the report indicates his not considered serious. If true, he will have a chance to return to action for the Angels' next game Friday against the Mariners.

Bogaerts went 2-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in an 11-1 demolition of the Astros on Thursday.

That's now seven straight games with a hit for the 23-year-old shortstop, lifting his average to a season-high .331 mark. Remarkably, he was hitting just .204 as recently as April 19, but Bogaerts has gone a spectacular 36-for-88 (.409) over his last 21 contests. It'd still be nice to see him contribute more power and speed -- his three homers and six steals aren't that exciting -- but it's hard to complain when the guy's in the top five of the American League in batting average.

Ahmed is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Rockies.

The usual starter at shortstop, Ahmed will get the day off as the Diamondbacks go up against Colorado righty Chad Bettis. He'll be replaced at short by Jean Segura, who will serve as the leadoff man.

Seager went 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 3-2 victory over the Mets.

The 22-year-old got the scoring started for the Dodgers with a first-inning double that plated Chase Utley. Seager now has multi-hit games in three of his last four contests, and appears to be hitting his stride at the plate so far in May. He's slashing .320/.414/.480 over the first 25 at-bats of the month, and already has four two-baggers and three RBI as well.

Crawford is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays.

With a lefty in J.A. Happ due up for Toronto, Crawford will head to the bench for a well-deserved day off, his first since April 15. Kelby Tomlinson will man shortstop and bat eighth, but look for Crawford to return Wednesday to face right-hander Marcus Stroman.

Updating on a previous report, Mondesi will be eligible to play should the Royals reach the postseason, Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reports.

The 20-year-old super prospect was suspended for 50 games earlier Tuesday due to a positive test for a performance enhancing drug. It was initially reported that Mondesi wouldn't be eligible to be called up for the playoffs if the Royals made it that far, but Sanchez reports that that is not the case. Still, Mondesi's suspension will begin immediately and last 50 games.

Pennington will start at shortstop and bat ninth Tuesday against the Cardinals, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.

Andrelton Simmons is slated for thumb surgery and could be facing an extended absence, so the door appears open for Pennington to play regularly at short for the Angels in the weeks and months ahead. However, Pennington is a .244 career hitter with little power or speed to speak of, and veteran Brendan Ryan, whom the team brought in from Washington, could steal occasional starts.