MLB Player News

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Zach Neto (back) will draw back in at shortstop Monday after missing seven of the Angels' last eight games, which likely spells an end to Velazquez's brief run as a regular in the lineup. Velazquez will move into a utility role and isn't expected to see frequent starting opportunities while both Neto and Luis Rengifo are available.

Neto (back) is starting at shortstop and batting eighth Monday in Atlanta, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

This recent back issue has bothered Neto dating back to July 22, when he was first scratched. He has appeared in four games since then without going on the injured list. Neto is hitting .216 with two home runs and 13 strikeouts in 11 games this month.

Berti will start in left field and bat sixth in Monday's game against the Phillies, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker will continue to lean on the sizzling Berti, who will pick up his eighth straight start and his 10th in 11 games even though Miami has all its key position players available again with Jazz Chisholm and Avisail Garcia returning from the IL. Berti, who is slashing .472/.500/.611 with four extra-base knocks and three stolen bases since the All-Star break, is starting to gain traction in left field, where he's made three of his last four starts. While he continues to weld a hot bat, Berti looks as though he'll play ahead of Garcia and Avisail Garcia as the Marlins' third outfielder after Chisholm and Bryan De La Cruz.

Smith (back) went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a two-run home run and a walk in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over Sugar Land on Sunday.

Smith started at third base and compiled all three of his RBI over the fourth and fifth innings. The 27-year-old also played shortstop for the Aviators on Friday, and he was encouragingly able to up his workload to seven innings Sunday after logging five frames in that contest. Having already suited up on three occasions overall for Las Vegas, Smith may only need another game or two down on the farm before being deemed ready for activation.

Duran went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Sunday's 5-3 loss to San Diego.

Duran was back in the lineup at shortstop after receiving a one-day respite. He walked and stole his sixth base in the fourth inning before coming home on a throwing error. He later scored on Marcus Semien's two-run single. Duran's production has dropped off since coming back from the break, posting a .167 average (7-for-42) with three RBI over the last 12 games.

Abrams went 2-for-3 with one run scored and three steals in Sunday's loss to the Mets.

Abrams showcased his elite speed Sunday, swiping three bags and reaching on an infield single. The shortstop accounted for the Nationals' only run, stealing home in the first inning. The 22-year-old now owns 24 steals on the season and has gone 13-for-44 (.295) with 10 runs scored and seven stolen bases over his last 11 appearances.

Lindor went 3-for-4 with one double, a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 5-2 win over Washington.

After going homerless for 15 straight games -- his longest drought of the season -- Lindor has launched a long ball in back-to-back games to bring his season total to 21. While leading all shortstops with 21 homers, Lindor is also slashing .236/.323/.464 with 17 steals through 105 games.

Baez went 2-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored in Sunday's 8-6 loss to the Marlins.

Baez entered the contest batting just .182 over his previous 10 games, so this was a step in the right direction. The shortstop is still batting just .225 for the season with a .594 OPS, making it another disappointing campaign in his second year with the Tigers. Baez may still make a splash here and there, though it's hard to trust him as a consistent fantasy performer at this point given his struggles in 2022 and 2023.

Crawford went 2-for-3 with a solo homer, a double, three runs scored and two walks in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Crawford belted a solo homer in the second inning between crossing home in the first and ninth frames. He's having a terrific month, going 31-for-91 (.341) with 14 extra-base hits and 15 runs scored through 24 July games. Crawford's season slash line is up to .265/.376/.413 through 418 plate appearances. His ninth home run of the year Sunday tied his career high set in 2021.

McLain went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's 9-0 win over the Dodgers.

McLain had gone six games without a homer, though he's gone deep four times while batting .321 (17-for-53) since the All-Star break. The infielder is up to 11 long balls on the year. He's maintained a .305/.375/.530 slash line with 37 RBI, 50 runs scored and eight stolen bases over 65 contests. With Jonathan India (foot) going on the injured list, McLain may pick up a bit more time at second base rather than shortstop going forward, though he should still be a near-everyday player regardless.