MLB Player News

Story started at shortstop and went 2-for-4 with a steal and a run scored in Friday's 5-2 win over Detroit.

Story had his first multi-hit game and steal since being activated off the injured list earlier this week. After fanning six times over his first eight plate appearances, Story is 3-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout since.

Duran started at designated hitter and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 win over the Giants.

Duran was hit on the hand during Wednesday's game but stayed in the contest after being attended to by trainers. That he was able to go Friday indicates no lingering effects.

Smith started at third base and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 win over San Francisco.

Smith made a second straight start at the hot corner, as the Rangers navigate life without rookie third baseman Josh Jung (thumb). He'll be out until some point in September after undergoing thumb surgery this week. Ezequiel Duran and Smith are sharing third base until Jung becomes available. While Duran's season numbers trump Smith's by a wide margin, the former has slumped since the All-Star break with a .162 average and .524 OPS.

Arcia will sit for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mets, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Arcia is the only Atlanta hitter who will get a rest in the first game of the day. He'll likely return to the lineup for the nightcap, but in the meantime, Nicky Lopez will handle shortstop.

De La Cruz batted third and went 2-for-5 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-2 win over the Pirates

For the first time since July 16, De La Cruz was not batting leadoff for the Reds. He'd slashed .207/.281/.414 in 22 games (21 starts) atop the order. In his first game out of three hole, De La Cruz delivered a two-run triple in the first inning and knocked in a run in the eighth. Reds manager David Bell told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Cincinnati Enquirer that he plans to stick with the reconfigured top of the order, although he added that "nothing's permanent." TJ Friedl led off Friday followed by Matt McLain.

Allen went 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 8-2 loss to the Nationals.

The slick-fielding shortstop extended his hitting streak to a modest five games while also swiping a bag for the third straight game. Allen is still trying to prove he can contribute with his bat in the majors, and over his last 10 games he's batting .303 (10-for-33) with two homers, three steals, four runs and five RBI -- a massive improvement on his career .206/.253/.286 slash line in roughly a season's worth of playing time with the A's over the last two years.

Bogaerts went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double, three RBI and one stolen base in Friday's win over Arizona.

Bogaerts started his big day with a two-run shot in the second inning. It was his 12th homer of the year and first since July 18, snapping a 21-game drought. During that stretch, he hit .293 but registered a lackluster .659 OPS. Bogaerts is now slashing .271/.344/.402 with 31 extra-base hits and 13 steals through 471 plate appearances.

Witt went 2-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Cardinals.

Witt is up to 21 home runs and 70 RBI on the season to go along with 34 steals. Since the beginning of July, the young shortstop has a .331 average, nine home runs, 32 RBI, 18 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Witt has been extremely productive despite the fact the Royals are on pace to finish with more than 100 losses for the third time in six seasons.

Pena went 3-for-4 with one double, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's victory over the Angels.

Pena has been demoted to the bottom third of the Astros lineup in five of his last six games, but this performance marks his fourth multi-hit effort in his last 10 games. After bottoming out with a .205 average and only one home run in July, Pena has responded with 12 hits and seven walks in 43 plate appearances thus far in August. His glove keeps him in the lineup, and continued production like this will help return him to the top of a potent Astros lineup.

Franco walloped a walk-off home run in Friday's 9-8 victory over the Guardians.

The Rays' bullpen blew a three-run lead in the top of the ninth inning, but Franco saved their bacon by depositing Nick Sandlin's third pitch of the bottom of the frame over the right-field wall. It was the first walk-off home run of Franco's young career. He also added two singles, a walk and his 30th stolen base of the season in this one. Now with 17 long balls on the year, Franco has an excellent shot at a 20-30 campaign.