MLB Player News

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.

Mondesi has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for the performance enhancing drug Clenbuterol, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi, the top prospect in the Royals' system, was off to a strong start to the season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas, slashing .250/.304/.462. He also had hit five home runs through his first 113 plate appearances this season, while his previous career high in that category was eight when he was at High-A Wilmington in 2014. It took him 472 plate appearances to hit those eight home runs in 2014. According to Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com, Mondesi will not be eligible to play in the 2016 postseason for the Royals if they qualify.

Baez is in the lineup and batting sixth for Tuesday's game against the Padres.

Baez will get another start at third base where he has been terrific defensively thus far. The 23-year-old is proving he belongs with the Cubs, hitting .306/.333/.490 with two home runs, including a walk-off Sunday against the Nationals, and five RBI through 18 games.

Castro is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies.

Castro is just 3-for-39 over the past 12 games, so Atlanta is likely giving him the day off and trying to get him some good matchups to help him break out of his slump. Chase D'Arnaud will get the start at second base in his place.