MLB Player News

Betts went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run and a stolen base against the Nationals in Thursday's 2-1 victory.

Betts scored the decisive run in the contest by walking, swiping second base and crossing the plate on a Freddie Freeman double in the eighth inning. Betts seems to be running more frequently so far this season -- the stolen base was his sixth of the campaign through 27 contests, putting him well on pace to reach 20 steals for the first time since 2018. That has to be sweet music to his fantasy managers' ears, and Betts is paying huge dividends in other areas as well, slashing .374/.477/.636 with six homers, 21 RBI and 27 runs.

Kim went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run against Colorado in a loss Thursday.

Kim's third-inning blast gave San Diego a short-lived three-run lead. The long ball was his fourth of the season and just his second extra-base hit over his past eight contests. Kim has added 17 RBI, 17 runs, seven steals and a .238/.339/.436 slash line through 119 plate appearances.

Rocchio went 1-for-3 with a stolen base in Thursday's 6-4 win over the Red Sox.

Rocchio has gone 3-for-12 over his last four contests and continues to see a starting role at shortstop. He's yet to do much with the steady at-bats, slashing .205/.280/.301 with two steals on three attempts, four RBI, 10 runs scored, seven doubles and no home runs through 23 contests. With Gabriel Arias batting .280 in a utility role, it's unclear how much longer Rocchio will go relatively unchallenged for his spot in the lineup.

Seager started at designated hitter and went 0-for-3 with a walk in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Mariners.

Seager, who was removed from Wednesday's game with a bruised shin, was available a day later for DH duties. It's unclear if he'll be limited to DH for a stretch. If so, Josh Smith will fill in at shortstop.

Witt went 1-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Witt's RBI single in the fifth inning produced the decisive run in the contest. He's gone 7-for-20 (.350) with three RBI and three steals over his last five games. He continues to hit well out of the No. 2 spot in the order, slashing .317/.367/.574 with four home runs, seven steals, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, eight doubles and three triples over 109 plate appearances. Witt's success has been a driving force behind the Royals' surprising 15-10 start to the campaign.

The Mariners placed Crawford on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain.

Crawford was a late scratch from the lineup ahead of Wednesday's loss to the Rangers, and subsequent testing revealed that he was dealing with an oblique strain. Grade 1 is the least severe type of strain, so it's possible that Crawford's stint on the IL won't be a lengthy one. Dylan Moore will make his second straight start at shortstop Thursday and is expected to serve as the primary replacement for Crawford during his upcoming absence.

Fitzgerald went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 8-2 loss to the Mets.

Fitzgerald got the Giants on the board in the seventh inning. He has often found his way into the lineup versus southpaws while also serving as a right-handed bench bat. The utility man is batting .269 with a homer, four stolen bases, three RBI, five runs scored, two doubles and a triple over 28 plate appearances.

Crawford (oblique) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rangers.

Crawford had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right oblique soreness and now will miss a second straight start. Infielder Leonardo Rivas has joined the Mariners on their taxi squad, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM, so it would appear possible that Crawford will require a stint on the injured list. Dylan Moore is handling shortstop Thursday.

Seager (shin) will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter and No. 2 batter in Thursday's game against the Mariners.

Seager was removed late in Wednesday's 5-1 win over Seattle after getting hit by a pitch in the seventh inning. According to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, manager Bruce Bochy said after the contest that Seager's left shin "swelled up pretty good," but the 29-year-old evidently feels good enough Thursday to give it a go, albeit in a non-defensive role. Josh Smith will take over Seager's usual duties at shortstop.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Thursday that Grissom (hamstring) is getting close to being activated from the 10-day injured list but is unlikely to be reinstated this weekend, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Grissom has played six rehab games with Triple-A Worcester, starting at second base for the last three of them. The Red Sox have an off day Monday before beginning a series with the Giants at home Tuesday, and that could be the day the club is targeting for Grissom's season and team debut.