MLB Player News

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, due to tightness in his right hamstring. He suffered the injury after attempting to bunt in the team's previous game, but does not consider it a serious issue.

Crawford told the San Francisco Chronicle he is available off the bench Wednesday and hopes to be back in the starting lineup in time for Thursday's series finale. 

With four stolen bases Sunday, Dee Gordon solidified his place as one of the top waiver claims in Fantasy so far this season. But while I'm on board with him being must-own, I'm not ready to swear my undying loyalty to him.

Yeah, he's done what he's done over a small sample, but you could say that for any player making noise this time of year. At least Gordon has a top-prospect pedigree and minor-league track record backing up this performance. That buys him some credibility.

My hesitence is more about the Dodgers' intentions for him. They still haven't started him against a left-handed pitcher this year. They've faced only three, which is why it hasn't made a difference in Fantasy, but in the long run, if he's not playing every day, he'll be little more than a steals specialist.

Manager Don Mattingly has said from the beginning he wants one player to emerge as his second baseman, so if Gordon keeps performing like he has, he'll eventually become a full-timer. But until that happens, I'm not considering him a fixture in my lineup.

Dee Gordon stole a career-best four bases during an 8-6 win Sunday at Arizona. It was the most stolen bases by a Dodger in a game since Rafael Furcal did it against Arizona in 2007.

Gordon is up to nine stolen bases in 11 games. He is batting .400 (16 for 40) with one home run, two doubles, five RBI and five runs.

"He's always been able to do that," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said, "but now he's getting on base a lot. He's walking and he's getting his hits. That's what really changes the dynamic."

The Nationals recalled infielder Zach Walters from Triple-A Syracuse after placing third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (thumb) on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

Walters has worked to a .290 batting average in nine games for Triple-A Syracuse this season, with a .303 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage. He has three doubles, one triple and three RBI.

The Nationals will likely call up infielder Zach Walters to replace Ryan Zimmerman's roster spot on Sunday, a source told MLB.com following Saturday's 6-3 loss to Atlanta.

Walters, 24, batted .379 in 13 spring at-bats before his demotion. He is hitting .310 with three doubles, one triple and three RBI in 29 at-bats at Triple-A Syracuse.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 0 for 3 with a walk in his team's 4-2 win over the Yankees Friday.

Boagerts has gone hitless in three of his last four games, but he's still posted a solid .289/.400/.342 line in 38 at-bats thanks to his ability to draw a walk. He has yet to hit a homer or drive in a run this season.

Diamondbacks shortstop Cliff Pennington certainly took advantage of a rare start Thursday night. He hit three singles in five at-bats against San Francisco, including one that drove in two runs in the second inning.

Pennington, who had not started a game since April 2, singled in the eighth, then singled again, stole second and scored the winning run in the 10th.

The Royals announced Thursday infielder Pedro Ciriaco has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha. He was designated for assignment Saturday.

First returns on the decision made by the Diamondbacks to start Chris Owings over Didi Gregorius at shortstop: Not bad.

Owings has displayed no power this season with just one extra-base hit in 37 at-bats and a major league homerless streak that has reached 92 at-bats. But he is batting .297 with three stolen bases.

He is also trending downward. Owings has just three hits in his last 19 at-bats. His lack of power indicates that he must improve his patience at the plate and ability to make consistent contact. He has just one walk with eight strikeouts.

Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon didn't waste any time getting his team on the scoreboard Tuesday against the Tigers, as he hit a leadoff home run off Max Scherzer in the bottom of the first, putting Los Angeles up 1-0. It was Gordon's first home run.

Gordon finished the game 2 for 5. He's hit safely in six of eight games. Gordon is batting .357 (10 for 28) with one home run, two doubles, four RBI, four runs, two walks and three stolen bases in eight games.