MLB Player News

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has been great with the bases empty. He is batting .328 with a .438 on-base percentage when he steps to the plate with no runners on base.

The only issue is that he struggles with runners on base, particularly with runners in scoring position. He is batting just .125 with a .188 slugging percentage and four RBI with runners in scoring position through 26 games. Despite his struggles in this area, Bogaerts' confidence is not shaken.

"What’s going on right now is that things aren’t falling," Bogaerts said, per WEEI.com. "The hits aren’t coming when I need them, but it’ll turn around. You can’t keep a good man down for too long."

Hitting coach Greg Colbrunn feels Bogaerts is performing well at the plate despite his struggles in clutch at-bats.

"He’s doing well overall," Colbrunn said. "He’s swinging the bat good, seeing a lot of pitches and drawing walks. He might be pressing just a little with runners in scoring position, but for the most part, he’s stayed within himself and we’re going to continue to do what we’re doing and just try to concentrate on keeping positive."

Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings went 1 for 5 with his first home run of the season in his team's 7-5 win over the Brewers Tuesday.

Owings came through with a solo home run in the sixth inning to break up what was otherwise a down night at the plate. He has hit .298/.348/.404 in 104 at-bats.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford produced his first career multihomer game, going deep twice in a 4-1 win over the Braves. Crawford entered the day with one homer this season.

Crawford hit a solo shot in the fourth and a two-run blast in the eighth. His 2-for-4 performance upped his average to .264.

Dodgers infielder Dee Gordon delivered a big performance Saturday, going 5 for 6 with three stolen bases in his team's 9-7 win over the Marlins.

Gordon scored twice and drove in two runs while running his league-leading stolen-base total up to 19. He has hit .357/.387/.464 with one home run and 10 RBI in 112 at-bats.

Diamondbacks rookie shortstop Chris Owings had mixed results offensively through the first month of the season.

Owings proved to be a good contact hitter, batting .313 and totaling seven multi-hit games through his first 28 appearances. He even got on base at a .367 clip.

However, Owings provided little power or RBI production. He has no home runs and just two RBI, while slugging .398. Owings had a .441 slugging percentage in 460 minor-league games.

The Red Sox's faith in shortstop Xander Bogaerts has not wavered despite a slow start offensively and some struggles on the defensive end.

"Every player has their strengths, every player has things they need to work on a little more," Red Sox assistant general manager Mike Hazen said, per ESPN. "There’s that sliding scale. Bogie has some things he has to work on, being in the league for the first time. We also think there are so many strengths he brings to the table, he’s going to bring those out too. 

"I think he’s made a lot of progress in a lot of areas. The consistency on the routine play has been excellent, I think, overall. But we all knew there were going to be challenges, growing pains with some of these things."

The Red Sox have not re-engaged contract talks with free agent shortstop Stephen Drew, a major-league source told WEEI.com.

Even with third baseman Will Middlebrooks on the disabled list with a calf strain and shortstop Xander Bogaerts struggling defensively in April, Boston did not stray from its long-term plans of committing to a starting left side of the infield featuring the duo, the source added.

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts was back in the starting lineup Sunday against the Blue Jays.

Bogaerts missed Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms, but is ready to go Sunday. He'll hit seventh and play short in his return. Bogaerts is hitting .277 in 83 at-bats.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is dealing with the flu Saturday.

Bogaerts was not listed in the team's starting lineup, and will take a day to recover. He should return to action soon, and is considered day-to-day.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts is not in the team's starting lineup Saturday.

Bogaerts will be replaced by Jonathan Herrera at short. It's assumed to be a normal day of rest for Bogaerts. He should return to the starting lineup Sunday.