MLB Player News

An MRI on the ribcage of Indians outfielder Zach Walters has revealed no structural damage, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

The injury is believed to be of the soft-tissue variety, and Walters may be able to make it back on the field before the end of the season. He's just 2 for 20 in September.

Indians infielder Zach Walters (intercostal) and outfielder Ryan Raburn (knee) are both out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros as a result of their injuries. Both players are day to day as a result of injuries suffered over the last two days. 

Indians shortstop Zach Walters left Monday's game against the Astros in sixth inning with a right intercostal strain, the team announced. He went 0 for 2 before leaving the game. He will likely be re-evaluated before Tuesday's game against Houston.

Diamondbacks recalled shortstop Nick Ahmed and pitcher Andrew Chafin from Triple-A Reno prior to Monday's game against San Francisco. 

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who homered again Sunday at Kansas City to give him four home runs along with a .359 (23 for 64) batting average in 16 games since returning from an eight-day absence for a concussion in late August, thinks that break may have contributed to this surge, according to the Boston Herald.

"When I went down for a few days helped me out a lot," he said. "So, I feel good."

Bogaerts suggested he also benefited from the All-Star break, and the numbers back it up. In the 11 games immediately after the break, he hit .317 (13 for 41) with two home runs compared to .103 (11 for 107) with one home run in the 29 games immediately before it.

Manager John Farrell chooses to focus on the mechanical difference he sees from Bogaerts when the rookie is, in his own mind, well rested.

"Since coming back from the concussion he's been more balanced, and what it's allowed him to do is see the ball a little more clearly," said Farrell. "He's not lunging as violently to his front side and he's staying behind some swings. He's been able to carry it now for quite a while."

Looking for a sleeper hitter for Fantasy Week 25 (Sept. 15-21)? Russell Martin, Steve Pearce, Jed Lowrie, Xander Bogaerts, Josh Rutledge and Michael Cuddyer might just fit the bill.

Find out why in the latest Start and Sit Hitters.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford went 2 for 3 with a walk, a double, a home run and three RBI in his team's 9-0 win over the Dodgers Friday.

The Giants closed the gap with the division-leading Dodgers to one game thanks in part to Crawford, who doubled home the final run in a four-run first inning before slugging a two-run home run in the fifth. He has hit .238/.320/.381 with nine home runs and 62 RBI in 446 at-bats.

The Red Sox were pounded at Fenway Park on Wednesday, but shortstop Xander Bogaerts can't be blamed. He was their hitting star.

Bogaerts continued a strong surge with two hits, including a solo homer in the third inning that ended the shutout for Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen.

He is 17 of 43 in his last 10 games with three home runs and nine RBI.

The Padres added infielder Ryan Jackson to the 40-man roster Tuesday then immediately placed him on the 60-day disabled list with a wrist injury, MLB.com reports. Jackson is recovering from June wrist surgery.

The Diamondbacks activated infielder Chris Owings (shoulder) and outfielder A.J. Pollock (hand) from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, the team announced.

Owings has been out since late June due to his injury, while Pollock's has kept him out since late May.