MLB Player News
-
J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: At least one more rehab game
Crawford (finger) played in a simulated game Monday and will likely need at least one more rehab game before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Shannon Drayer of SeattleSports.com reports.
Crawford played two rehab games with Triple-A Tacoma over the weekend before shifting to a simulated setting Monday because it's an idle day across the minors. He's expected to do the same Tuesday and would appear in line to return to the Mariners' lineup later this week if all goes well. Crawford has been out since late July with a hairline fracture of his right pinky finger.
-
Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: To have season-ending hip surgery
The Tigers transferred Baez (hip) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
Per Chris McCosky of The Detroit News, Baez will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right hip next week. The veteran shortstop has missed time with hip and back problems this season, although the two injuries seem to be related. The surgery closes the book on another disappointing season for Baez, who finishes with a .516 OPS over 80 games. He is still owed $73 million through 2027. Trey Sweeney and Ryan Kreidler will handle shortstop for Detroit down the stretch.
-
Xavier Edwards SS | MIA
Marlins' Xavier Edwards: Goes on IL with sore back
The Marlins placed Edwards on the 10-day injured list due to mild back extensor soreness.
Edwards missed the final two games of the Marlins' series against the Cubs over the weekend with the back issue, and though an MRI on Sunday returned negative, the team will err on the side of caution and deactivate him. Before landing on the IL, Edwards was able to take some swings and do some throwing on the field Sunday, so he could have a chance at returning from the IL when first eligible Sept. 3. Vidal Brujan is expected to serve as the Marlins' primary shortstop in place of Edwards, who had slashed .356/.432/.442 with 10 extra-base hits and 22 stolen bases since moving into a full-time role at the beginning of July.
-
Oneil Cruz SS | PIT
Pirates' Oneil Cruz: Moving to center field
Pirates manager Derek Shelton announced Monday that Cruz will be moved to center field, Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.
Shelton suggested that the move will be permanent, with the skipper noting that Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nick Gonzales will be the team's everyday options at shortstop and second base, respectively, for the remainder of the season. Cruz played one inning in left field for the Pirates in 2022 and started nine games at the position for Triple-A Indianapolis in the same season. However, he has never seen action in center field, so the 25-year-old will be learning on the fly. According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates plan to ease Cruz into his transition to the outfield by deploying him mostly as a designated hitter initially.
-
Jacob Wilson SS | OAK
Athletics' Jacob Wilson: On verge of activation
Wilson (hamstring), who played a full game at shortstop in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Reno on Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a two-run double, is feeling great on his rehab assignment and could be activated from the IL this week, MLB.com reports.
The news was relayed via manager Mark Kotsay before Wilson played a full game Sunday, giving all the more weight to the statement. The rookie had notably logged seven innings on defense Saturday as well, seemingly corroborating his hamstring is back to full health. Wilson has swung a hot bat throughout his time with the Aviators, posting a .391 average (9-for-23) with three doubles, five RBI, two walks and four runs.
-
Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Goes deep in Sunday's loss
Witt went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Sunday's 11-3 loss to the Phillies.
Witt's 11-game hitting streak was snapped with an 0-for-4 effort Saturday, but he bounced back Sunday. His homer was his first since Aug. 16. The shortstop has hit .337 over 21 games in August, adding seven homers, 17 RBI, two steals and 20 runs scored. For the year, he's maintained a .347/.396/.611 slash line with 26 long balls, 93 RBI, 111 runs scored and 26 steals over 130 contests, putting him in good position for at least a 30-30 campaign.
-
Dylan Moore SS | SEA
Mariners' Dylan Moore: Goes wild on basepaths Sunday
Moore went 1-for-2 with two walks, three stolen bases and a run in a win over the Giants on Sunday.
Moore put together a signature leadoff performance, serving as a consistent irritant for Giants pitchers throughout the afternoon while swiping a career-high three bases. Moore is an impressive 27-for-32 overall in steal attempts this season, and he's now reached safely in four straight games. Sunday marked only his fourth appearance atop the order this season, but given the results, he could conceivably get more run as the leadoff hitter the rest of the way under new manager Dan Wilson.
-
Max Schuemann SS | OAK
Athletics' Max Schuemann: Likely to fill everyday role at 3B
Schuemann is expected to see most of his reps at third base moving forward after the Athletics optioned Darell Hernaiz to Triple-A Las Vegas following Sunday's 4-3 win over the Brewers, Jason Burke of SI.com reports.
Schuemann has made each of his last 30 starts at shortstop, but he'll likely see fewer opportunities at that position moving forward with Jacob Wilson (hamstring) likely to return from the injured list ahead of Tuesday's series opener in Cincinnati. The Athletics are still expected to keep Schuemann in the lineup on at least a semi-regular basis by deploying him at the hot corner, where Hernaiz had been serving as the team's primary option prior to his demotion. Schuemann's last start at third base came back on July 19, which coincided with Wilson making his MLB debut as Oakland's starting shortstop before exiting that game early due to the hamstring strain.
-
Ezequiel Tovar SS | COL
Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Minimal production in August
Tovar went 1-for-5 on Sunday against the Yankees.
Tovar had a productive weekend series in New York, going 4-for-13 with three doubles and two runs scored. However, he's endured significant struggles throughout August by hitting just .178 with an abysmal 34 percent strikeout rate and 3.2 percent walk rate. Positively, he still has 11 runs scored in 21 games for the month.
-
Brayan Rocchio SS | CLE
Guardians' Brayan Rocchio: Not in lineup for first game
Rocchio is absent from the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader against the Royals.
The Guardians will go with Tyler Freeman at shortstop for the first game of the twin bill. Rocchio has typically seen most of the starts at shortstop against right-handed pitching of late and should be back in the lineup for the nightcap, when righty Alec Marsh is slated to start for the Royals.