MLB Player News

Cruz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The shortstop was hit by an Edwin Diaz fastball in the ninth inning Saturday, but there's been no indication Cruz sustained a significant injury from being plunked. Even so, the Pirates will give the lefty-hitting Cruz the afternoon off Sunday while southpaw Sean Manaea takes the hill for the Mets. Jared Triolo will check in at shortstop for Cruz, who had started in each of the previous six games while going 8-for-22 with two home runs, one double, three walks, one stolen base, five RBI and three runs.

Hamilton started at shortstop and went 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Saturday's 14-4 loss to the Yankees.

Hamilton and Enmanuel Valdez have shared second base against right-handers, but both were in the starting lineup Saturday against Gerrit Cole. Hamilton had a hot stretch from mid-May to mid-June but was cooled off since. He entered Saturday's contest on a 3-for-25 (.120) run, which has reduced his playing time, as Hamilton has started just four of Boston's last 10 games. Red Sox manager Alex Cora talked to Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe about the challenges of getting both Hamilton and Valdez in the lineup. "We would love them to play against righties, but Tyler [O'Neill] is swinging the bat well," Cora said. "We have Wilyer [Abreu], he's healthy. It's more about the fastball of the opposition [with Valdez and Hamilton]. They have their strengths and weaknesses." Hamilton has a better track record against four-seamers, while Valdez is better against off-speed pitches.

Kim went 3-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's loss to Arizona.

Kim opened the bottom of the fifth with a leadoff double and eventually advanced to third before being left stranded. However, he came right back with hits in each of his next two trips to the plate, driving home Donovan Solano with a double in the eighth to tie the game at 4-4. It marked Kim's second three-hit performance this season and his 13th multi-hit game overall. The shortstop has now hit safely in 11 of his last 14 games, though he's still batting just .222 (4-for-18) through five games in July.

Kreidler is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Kreidler had started at shortstop in both of the past two games and four of the previous six games overall, but he'll give way to Zach McKinstry in the series finale. Since getting called up from Triple-A Toledo on June 11, Kreidler has produced a weak .405 OPS over 18 games, so he won't have much of a case for seeing regular playing time once Javier Baez (spine) likely returns from the injured list during the upcoming week.

McLain (shoulder) was cleared Friday to begin baseball activities, MLB.com reports.

Cincinnati manager David Bell said McLain met some strength markers and can now begin a progression. The Reds are putting together a regimen of activities, and McLain could perform those activities in Arizona or with the team.

Newman started at second base and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 7-5 extra-inning win over San Diego.

Newman, who replaced Ketel Marte (back) at second base during Friday's game, got the start Saturday. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Marte had dealt with occasional stiffness for several days leading up to Friday's removal. The injury is not believed to be serious, per MLB.com. Newman will likely fill in at second for as long as Marte is sidelined.

Lawlar (hamstring) started at third base and went 0-for-3 in the Arizona Complex League on Saturday.

Lawlar played seven innings in the field in the first game of his rehab. He's missed a lot of action due to injuries this season, and the Diamondbacks need him to build up at-bats before any thoughts of promoting him to the majors. To that end, it's noteworthy that he started at third base Saturday. With Geraldo Perdomo locked in at shortstop, third base becomes a potential landing spot for Lawlar.

Schuemann went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run, an additional run and a walk in Saturday's 19-8 rout of Baltimore.

Schuemann mashed Oakland's second three-run homer of the game in the second inning to give the A's an early 6-0 lead. It was his second long ball over his past four contests following a 27-game stretch in which he failed to go deep. Schuemann's multi-hit performance Saturday was his first since June 1, a span of 27 games.

Fitzgerald went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Guardians.

Fitzgerald was impactful in the fifth inning with a two-run single. He then stole second, and that allowed Matt Chapman to steal home for another run, though the Giants' comeback effort ultimately fell short. Fitzgerald has been good in a limited role with a .276/.329/.395 slash line, one home run, seven steals, six RBI and 12 runs scored over 82 plate appearances. He got the start at first base versus southpaw Logan Allen on Saturday, though LaMonte Wade figures to play there regularly versus right-handers.

Neto went 1-for-5 with an RBI and two steals in a 7-0 win over the Cubs on Saturday.

Neto hit an RBI single and swiped two bases in a productive third inning. He has stolen four bases over his past 10 contests but has gone just 7-for-37 at the plate over that span. On the year, the shortstop is hitting .243 with 11 home runs, 39 RBI, 33 runs scored and 14 steals over 319 plate appearances.