MLB Player News

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who homered again Sunday at Kansas City to give him four home runs along with a .359 (23 for 64) batting average in 16 games since returning from an eight-day absence for a concussion in late August, thinks that break may have contributed to this surge, according to the Boston Herald.

"When I went down for a few days helped me out a lot," he said. "So, I feel good."

Bogaerts suggested he also benefited from the All-Star break, and the numbers back it up. In the 11 games immediately after the break, he hit .317 (13 for 41) with two home runs compared to .103 (11 for 107) with one home run in the 29 games immediately before it.

Manager John Farrell chooses to focus on the mechanical difference he sees from Bogaerts when the rookie is, in his own mind, well rested.

"Since coming back from the concussion he's been more balanced, and what it's allowed him to do is see the ball a little more clearly," said Farrell. "He's not lunging as violently to his front side and he's staying behind some swings. He's been able to carry it now for quite a while."

The Red Sox were pounded at Fenway Park on Wednesday, but shortstop Xander Bogaerts can't be blamed. He was their hitting star.

Bogaerts continued a strong surge with two hits, including a solo homer in the third inning that ended the shutout for Baltimore starter Wei-Yin Chen.

He is 17 of 43 in his last 10 games with three home runs and nine RBI.

As expected, Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts is back in the team's lineup Saturday, after recovering from a concussion.

Bogaerts has been out a week while recovering, and he spent that time on the 7-day disabled list. He is hitting eighth in Saturday's game against the Rays, and carries a .223/.293/.333 line for the season into the action. 

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts has passed Major League Baseball's concussion protocal, and should be back Saturday, according to the Providence Journal. 

Bogaerts can return from the 7-day disabled list Saturday, and it's looking like that will happen. He's hitting .223/.293/.333 over 435 at-bats. 

Indians infielder Zach Walters belted his ninth home run Tuesday against the White Sox. 

Walters struck in the top of the 10th inning. With the game tied, Walters clubbed a 96 mph fastball out to right center for the two-run shot. He also singled and walked earlier in the contest. He finished 2 for 4, with two runs scored and two RBI. Walters has now hit five home runs in his last 10 games. 

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts is no longer feeling the effects of his concussion, according to the Providence Journal. 

Bogaerts still has to pass league-mandated tests before he's cleared to return. He can come off the seven-day disabled list as early as Saturday. There's a chance he'll do that based on his progress. Bogaerts is hitting .223/.293/.333 over 435 at-bats. 

The Red Sox placed infielder Xander Bogaerts on the seven-day concussion disabled list Sunday, retroactive to Saturday, the Boston Herald reports.

Bogaerts took a changeup to the earpiece of his helmet Friday and hasn't played since. He underwent further concussion testing Sunday, and the team saw enough to stick him on the disabled list. He has hit .223/.293/.333 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 435 at-bats.

Red Sox infielder Xander Bogaerts will undergo more concussion tests Sunday, ESPNBoston.com reports.

If Bogaerts doesn't pass Sunday's testing, the Red Sox will put him on the disabled list and bring up a replacement for the active roster. He was hit on the helmet by a pitch Friday and sat out Saturday's game, and he's not in the lineup Sunday either.

Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts has declared himself fine after taking an 89 mph changeup to the earpiece of his helmet Friday night. He wasn't blaming Seattle ace Felix Hernandez for the errant pitch.

"He's 0-2 and it probably slipped in his hand but it wasn't intentional," Bogaerts told ESPN. "You don't want to get hit in your head, obviously, but I got hit pretty good and thank God I'm OK right now."

Indians infielder Zach Walters continues to make his impact felt, as he homered for the third straight game in a 5-1 loss to the Astros Friday.

Walters had just one hit in the game, going 1 for 3 with a solo home run. He now has eight home runs  in 75 at-bats for the season, including five in 10 games since joining the Indians.