MLB Player News

Arias is slashing .274/.426/.526 with six home runs, 14 steals and as many walks as strikeouts (25) in 25 Florida Complex League games.

A prized seven-figure signee in last year's international signing class, Arias is meeting or perhaps even exceeding expectations in his stateside debut. His 20.5 percent strikeout rate is perfectly adequate for an 18-year-old who is doing damage in the FCL, and he should get a bump to Single-A in the coming weeks.

Astros manager Dusty Baker said in an interview on SportsTalk 790 in Houston on Tuesday that Pena (hamstring) will be back in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Colorado.

A hamstring cramp necessitated Pena's removal from Saturday's game versus the Angels and he didn't play Sunday. However, it looks like the shortstop is good to go following Monday's off day.

Luciano was promoted Tuesday to Triple-A Sacramento, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Luciano missed the first month of the minor-league season after suffering a stress fracture in his lower back while playing in the Dominican Winter League and then got off to a relatively slow start with Double-A Richmond upon his arrival there in early May. He had turned it on lately, though, slashing .309/.416/.564 across his last 113 plate appearances dating back to June 10. The highly-touted shortstop prospect, who turns 22 in September, is now just one step away from the majors.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated that the club will announce Tuesday when Story (elbow) will begin his minor-league rehab assignment, MLB.com reports.

By all indications, Story is on the verge of playing in games in the minors. The big questions now are when, where exactly and for how long? It's possible Story will have to work his way up the ladder in the minor leagues, and he could potentially need close to the full 20 days afforded to him on the rehab assignment. Story underwent an internal bracing procedure on his right elbow in January and the Red Sox need him to show he can throw well enough with that elbow to play in the field upon his return.

Shewmake is slashing .328/.421/.656 over his last 18 games for Triple-A Gwinnett with seven doubles, a triple, four homers, four steals and a 7:7 BB:K.

The 25-year-old shortstop has no clear path to the majors as long as Ozzie Albies and Orlando Arcia are healthy, but Shewmake appears to be taking a big step forward as a hitter. His glovework has never been in question, so if he can demonstrate the ability to provide some kind of offense in the majors, he stands a much better chance of securing a starting role in the future -- whether it's with Atlanta, or in another organization should he get shipped out at the trade deadline.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with a hit-by-pitch, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's win over the Cubs.

Fresh off being named NL Player of the Week for the abbreviated period following the All-Star break, Abrams made a quick impact from the leadoff spot once again, getting hit by Drew Smyly's fourth pitch of the game, promptly stealing second and coming around to score on Jeimer Candelario's homer. Abrams is up to 17 steals on the season, including a perfect 8-for-8 performance on the basepaths in his last eight games -- a stretch in which he's batting a blistering .394 (13-for-33).

Duran went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Monday in a 3-2 win over the Rays.

Shane McClanahan dominated Texas for five innings before Duran provided a key turning point with his game-tying two-run shot off the Tampa Bay ace in the sixth. It was the emerging slugger's first hit since the All-Star break -- he had gone 0-for-7 with four strikeouts prior to that point. Duran is enjoying a very strong campaign overall, however, slashing .301/.336/.523 with 13 homers, 37 RBI, 38 runs and four steals over 73 contests.

Martinez was promoted to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Martinez owns a .226 batting average through 70 contests at Double-A New Hampshire, but he's gotten progressively better after a disastrous April (.089 average over 15 games), turning in a .280/.391/.480 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBI in 23 June matchups and a 7-for-19 start to July. As Matheson notes, it'll be worth keeping an eye on Marinez's playing time at the hot corner down the stretch of the regular season with Matt Chapman due to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2023 campaign.

Swanson (heel) took batting practice on the field Monday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Swanson was not able to come off the injured list when first eligible over the weekend, but he seems to be close. The shortstop has been on the shelf for the last week-and-a-half with a bruised left heel. It's not clear whether he might need a rehab assignment before being activated.

Baez is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Kansas City.

Baez has shown no signs of righting the ship so far in July, batting just .167/.186/.262. Zach McKinstry will handle shortstop Monday while Baez regroups.