MLB Player News

Pena (hand) is in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Mets, per Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

After taking a fastball off his left hand during Thursday's series finale against the Yankees, Pena is good to go for Friday's series opener with the Mets after X-rays came back negative. Pena will lead off and man shortstop for Houston.

Story (sports hernia) remains with Triple-A Worcester on his rehab assignment Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Though he is scheduled for a day off Friday, Story will stay with Worcester rather than rejoin the Red Sox for their series this weekend against the Yankees. Boston will return home to host the Mariners on Monday, and that could be the day the Red Sox are eyeing for Story's return. Out since mid-May following sports hernia surgery, Story is 5-for-32 with a 1:10 BB:K in his first nine rehab games.

Witt went 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, three runs scored and a stolen base in Thursday's 13-2 win over the Blue Jays.

The star shortstop did his part offensively in the blowout win, matching Jac Caglianone for the team lead by coming around to score three times. Witt has reached base in 11 straight games, producing a .349/.462/.605 slash line with three homers, seven RBI, 13 runs and four stolen bases during that span. In total, he's slashing .289/.366/.459 with 16 homers, 49 RBI, 75 runs and 36 stolen bases across 116 contests.

Pena underwent X-rays on his left hand, which came back negative, following Thursday's 5-1 win over the Yankees, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

Pena took a 96.3 mph fastball from Gerrit Cole off his left hand in the top of the third inning, but he was able to remain in the game. He finished his day 1-for-4 with the hit-by-pitch, an RBI and two runs scored. The ball hit Pena in the knuckle on both his pinkie and ring finger, and he underwent X-rays to determine if he suffered any significant damage. He appears to have avoided a major injury, and he can be considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's series opener against the Mets.

Gimenez is not in the lineup for Thursday's contest versus the Royals.

The left-handed-hitting Gimenez will get a breather as the Royals send southpaw Noah Cameron to the hill. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop, and Charles McAdoo will grab a start at second base.

Williams went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, two RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Twins.

Williams clubbed a triple off the center-field wall to plate two runs as part of a four-run sixth inning for the Athletics. Coupled with a double in the eighth frame, Wednesday marked his first game with multiple extra-base hits since July 19 and his third such effort of the season. Across 161 plate appearances, the 27-year-old is slashing .268/.304/.416 with two homers, 12 RBI and 18 runs. Williams has factored into the shortstop equation with Jacob Wilson (shoulder) out for the year, though Donovan Walton and Darell Hernaiz have also seen plenty of reps at the position.

Tolbert went 1-for-2 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 3-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Tolbert reached on an infield single to open the third inning before swiping second base for his 20th steal of the campaign. The utility man is hitting .294/.361/.422 with three homers, eight RBI and 27 runs across 126 plate appearances, though he's gone just 8-for-37 (.216) in August. Should second baseman Michael Massey (head) require a stint on the injured list, Tolbert could see an uptick in playing time.

Culpepper went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Athletics.

Culpepper has hit safely in five straight games, going 8-for-19 (.421) with two homers and four RBI in that span. The shortstop continues to make steady contact -- he's now batting .333 with a .907 OPS over 63 plate appearances in the majors. He's added three homers, six RBI, eight runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases while occupying a starting role at shortstop.

Montgomery is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Montgomery will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitter Sam Antonacci while southpaw MacKenzie Gore takes the hill for Texas. Luisangel Acuna will spell Montgomery at shortstop and will bat ninth.

The Orioles selected Vazquez's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday.

The move corresponds with the Orioles placing Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) on the 10-day injured list. Vazquez has spent the entire 2026 season in the minors and most of the year at Triple-A, where he is slashing .225/.272/.360 with seven steals, six home runs and 18 RBI over 194 plate appearances. He has the versatility to play multiple infield positions, with most of his reps this season coming at shortstop.