MLB Player News

Crawford went 1-for-3 with a two-run single and two walks in a loss to the Rays on Friday.

Crawford's two-run knock in the second inning brought home Jarred Kelenic and Cal Raleigh with what would turn out to be the Mariners' last two runs of the night. The 28-year-old finished June in a funk despite his production against the Rays -- Crawford hit just .163 (7-for-54) over the final 12 games of the month -- but he did also slug half of his six home runs on the season during that span while producing a solid .333 on-base percentage thanks to 11 walks.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with an RBI double, another two-bagger and a run in a win over the White Sox on Friday.

The veteran infielder knocked in JJ Bleday with the Athletics' penultimate run of the night in the eighth inning, giving Diaz his fifth RBI of June. The 32-year-old's multi-hit effort was also his first since June 10, and despite his unsightly .206/.262/.286 slash line, he continues to find his way into the lineup on a near-everyday basis due to his ability to fill in across the infield and at designated hitter.

Hamilton isn't in the Red Sox's lineup Saturday against Toronto, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

Yusei Kikuchi is set to start on the mound Saturday for the Jays, so the lefty-hitting Hamilton will begin the game on the bench. Enrique Hernandez will take over at shortstop and bat seventh.

McClain went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Friday's 7-5 extra-innings win over the Padres.

McClain saved the day for the Reds with a game-tying, two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning. The young shortstop set up the heroics to follow in the 11th when two other young Cincinnati stars -- Elly De La Cruz (double) and Spencer Steer (homer) closed out the Padres. McClain is rolling right now with hits in five of the last six games, going 10-for-29 with four doubles, four home runs, 12 RBI and six runs scored during that stretch.

Neto (oblique) did not resume baseball activities Friday as previously expected, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Neto indicated early in the week that he is no longer experiencing pain or discomfort and said that he was planning to resume baseball activities Friday. However, that plan did not come to pass, and the Angels now hope that the rookie shortstop can instead get back to such activities Sunday or Monday. Manager Phil Nevin suggested that Neto's ramp-up should not take long, so there's still a chance he can return to action by the end of next week.

Tovar went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-5 win over the Tigers.

Tovar has homered three times and added 12 RBI during his 13-game hitting streak. Over that span, he's gone 19-for-53 (.358) while also notching one stolen base. The rookie shortstop is holding down a starting role, and his recent surge has him up to a .269/.303/.441 slash line with eight homers, 39 RBI, 40 runs scored and four stolen bases through 77 contests overall.

The Angels optioned Velazquez to Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday.

Velazquez was sent down to make room for Anthony Rendon, who was activated off the 10-day injured list. In 32 plate appearances with the Angels, Velazquez registered a .644 OPS with no homers and six stolen bases across 12 games.

Pena is out of the lineup Friday due to a stiff neck, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Astros manager Dusty Baker told reporters that Pena simply had a "bad night of sleep" but probably won't be used off the bench in order to prevent the neck issue from getting any worse. Mauricio Dubon is covering shortstop and batting sixth in Friday's series opener versus the Rangers.

Pena is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Rangers, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

It appears to be a routine day of rest for Pena, who will put a modest five-game hitting streak on hold. Mauricio Dubon is getting the start at shortstop.

Abrams (elbow) is back in the lineup Friday at Philadelphia.

Abrams took a pitch off his right elbow in Tuesday's game against the Mariners and sat out Wednesday's series finale, but he's ready to rock for the Nationals' series opener against the Phillies. The 22-year-old speedster will play shortstop and bat ninth.