MLB Player News

Swanson went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Astros.

Swanson got the Cubs going early, hitting his big blast with two outs in the first inning to set the tone for the rest of the game. The shortstop, who is up to three home runs now for the season, has been off to a bit of a slow start overall with just a .235 batting average. However, Swanson will continue to see regular playing time, and he should be a strong fantasy asset the rest of the way.

Alexander started at shortstop and went 1-for-4 in Wednesday's 5-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Alexander returned to the lineup after missing two games due to a hamstring. He was moved up to second in the order, as a couple of Arizona regulars were getting a breather. Alexander also committed his fourth throwing error of the season (minus-7 outs above average), although the fielding issues haven't affected his playing time or offense. Alexander is hitting .316/.371/.915 with four doubles, three home runs and 15 RBI over 62 plate appearances.

Crawford was scratched from the Mariners' lineup ahead of Wednesday's game against the Rangers due to right oblique soreness.

The severity of Crawford's injury remains unknown, but it's apparently enough to keep him from starting in Wednesday's contest. Dylan Moore will enter the lineup as Seattle's new shortstop and bat eighth.

Correa (oblique) said Wednesday he could return during the Twins' upcoming road trip, which begins Friday against the Angels and runs through next Wednesday against the White Sox, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Correa did some glove work and took swings Wednesday as he ramps up his baseball activities, and there's a chance he returns from the injured list without a minor-league rehab assignment. The star shortstop's progress over the next few days should provide a better indication of whether a rehab stint will be necessary.

The Blue Jays recalled Barger from Triple-A Buffalo on Wednesday. He'll start in left field and bat eighth against the Royals.

Barger will be making his MLB debut Wednesday after he was added to the 26-man active roster following Kevin Kiermaier's (hip) placement on the 10-day injured list. Though Kiermaier's absence creates an opening in the everyday lineup, Barger is more likely to fill a utility role for the Blue Jays rather than serving as a direct replacement for the veteran center fielder. Davis Schneider is a likelier candidate to take on more responsibilities in the outfield than Barger, who was promoted after slashing .314/.435/.586 with three home runs and 21 RBI through 19 games with Buffalo.

Hamilton is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Guardians, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Hamilton will take a seat for the fifth straight contest and looks as though he won't be in store for a regular role at shortstop in the wake of Trevor Story's season-ending shoulder injury. Instead, the Red Sox have moved Ceddanne Rafaela from the outfield to shortstop, opening up a regular spot in the corner outfield for Wilyer Abreu.

Barger is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Wednesday's game in Kansas City, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Kevin Kiermaier exited Tuesday's game with hip flexor discomfort and could be headed to the injured list to open up room on the 26-man active roster for Barger. The 24-year-old has slashed .314/.435/.586 with three home runs and a 15:14 K:BB over 19 games with Buffalo this season. He's played right field and third base for Buffalo this season and would be making his major-league debut when/if he gets into a game.

Holliday is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels.

The lefty-hitting Holliday will take a seat for the second time in three days while the Angels bring another southpaw (Tyler Anderson) to the hill for the series finale. Jorge Mateo will check in at second base in place of Holliday, who is off to a 2-for-34 start to his big-league career since receiving a promotion from Triple-A Norfolk on April 10.

Kim went 2-for-4 with a run and a stolen base Tuesday in a loss to the Rockies.

Kim is up to seven thefts on the campaign, tied for seventh in MLB. He's still batting a modest .228 on the season but has perked up over his past 12 games, slashing .268/.412/.488 with two homers, six RBI, nine runs, four steals and a 10:5 BB:K over that stretch.

Rojas went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base against the Nationals in Tuesday's 4-1 victory.

Rojas got the start at shortstop while Mookie Betts shifted to second base with southpaw Patrick Corbin starting for Washington. That has been the usual lineup arrangement versus lefties in what has developed into a platoon situation, with Gavin Lux starting at second and Betts playing shortstop versus right-handed starters. Rojas has performed well when given the opportunity, slashing .281/.324/.500 with two homers, five RBI, four runs and a stolen base over 34 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Lux has struggled mightily with a .148/.224/.164 slash line, though the Dodgers seem set on sticking with him for the time being.