MLB Player News

Wilson (hamstring) isn't in the Athletics' lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Wilson had to be removed early from Friday's game after straining his hamstring. It remains to be seen whether his injury will cause him to spend some time on the IL, but he'll officially miss at least one game while Max Schuemann starts at shortstop Saturday, batting ninth.

Baez (back) will start at shortstop and bat seventh Saturday against the Blue Jays.

A back issue forced Baez out of last Saturday's game against the Dodgers and kept him out of the lineup through Friday, but the worst of it appears to be behind him. The 31-year-old finished the first half of the season with a career-worst .459 OPS through 214 plate appearances, though he remains locked in as Detroit's primary shortstop.

Jimenez is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Saturday against the Tigers.

The 23-year-old received four starts at shortstop heading into the All-Star break with Bo Bichette dealing with a calf strain, and Bichette is now on the injured list after he aggravated the injury Friday. Jimenez is likely to operate as Toronto's primary shortstop in the meantime, and he could have some fantasy utility since he's hit well in his first nine MLB games with a .348/.464/.435 slash line.

The Blue Jays placed Bichette on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right calf strain, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Bichette didn't land on the injured list immediately after straining his calf July 10, but after suffering a recurrence of the injury just nine days later, he'll now hit the IL in order to properly recover. Addison Barger was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move, though it will be Leo Jimenez starting most days at shortstop while Bichette is sidelined.

Bichette (calf) isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup for Saturday's game against the Tigers.

Bichette left Friday's contest early after straining his right calf for the second time this month, and he's slated to undergo an MRI to determine whether his injury is severe enough to warrant a trip to the injured list. Leo Jimenez will start at shortstop instead Saturday and would likely continue to do so should Bichette end up on the IL.

The Athletics sent Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday to begin a rehab assignment, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.

Hernaiz didn't play Friday in Las Vegas' 4-2 loss to Salt Lake, but he should join the Triple-A lineup at some point later this weekend to kick off what will likely be an extended rehab assignment. The 22-year-old infielder has been on the injured list since May 8 with a significant left ankle sprain.

Witt went 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, two runs scored and a walk in Friday's win over the White Sox.

Witt picked up where he left off after a terrific first half by belting a solo homer in the first inning. He later knocked an RBI single in the third and scored another run during the Royals' five-run fifth. Witt has been unstoppable over the last few weeks; in 13 games since June 30, he's slashing .471/.482/.863 with nine extra-base hits. For the season, Witt owns a .944 OPS with 65 RBI, 22 steals and 17 home runs through 429 plate appearances.

Cruz went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 8-7 win over the Phillies.

Cruz got the Pirates on the board with an RBI double in the first inning. He'd add another RBI in the seventh before driving in a third run in the ninth with a fielder's choice that tied the game 7-7. The 25-year-old Cruz picked up where he left off before the All-Star break -- he's gone 16-for-45 (.356) over his last 12 games with seven extra-base hits and 13 RBI in that span. The shortstop is now slashing .252/.304/.447 on the season with 14 homers, 47 RBI, 43 runs scored and seven steals across 86 games.

Neto went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 13-3 loss to the Athletics.

Neto was hot entering the All-Star break and kept it up following the pause. He's gone 11-for-23 (.478) with five extra-base hits over his last seven contests. The shortstop continues to be one of the better hitters on the Angels' roster with a .257/.307/.446 slash line, 13 homers, 43 RBI, 39 runs scored and 14 stolen bases through 94 contests.

Schuemann went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, four total RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 13-3 win over the Angels.

Schuemann got the start at third base rather than shortstop, but he was quickly moved back to his most common position after Jacob Wilson suffered a hamstring strain early in the game. It appeared Wilson's promotion from Triple-A Las Vegas would have a ripple effect on the Athletics' infield, but if the injury lands him on the IL, Schuemann would figure to once again have a clear path to an everyday role at shortstop. For the season, Schuemann is slashing .255/.345/.373 with six home runs, eight doubles, 24 RBI, 39 runs scored and nine stolen bases over 75 contests, though he's been sharper lately, hitting .390 (16-for-41) in July.