MLB Player News
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Eyeing weekend return
Mariners manager Scott Servais said Crawford (oblique) will play another rehab game for Triple-A Tacoma before likely returning from the 10-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series in Baltimore, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Crawford, who has been on the shelf since April 25 with a Grade 1 right oblique strain, kicked off his rehab assignment Tuesday, going 1-for-4 in Tacoma's 8-5 win over Salt Lake while playing seven innings at shortstop. Assuming Crawford feels fine physically coming out of his second rehab outing, he should be ready to rejoin the big club this weekend and settle back in as the team's everyday shortstop. Dylan Moore will shift back into a utility role once Crawford is back with the team.
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Brayden Taylor SS | TB
Rays' Brayden Taylor: In control at High-A
Taylor is slashing .253/.421/.440 with three home runs and nine steals in 27 games for High-A Bowling Green.
The Rays' first-round pick in last year's draft, Taylor has been at least 40 percent better than the average hitter in each league he has played in thus far. He has shown a very patient approach, with a 26.4 percent strikeout rate and a 23.1 percent walk rate. Taylor has an excellent batted-ball profile, with a 23.7 percent groundball rate, 7.1 percent infield-flyball rate, 21.3 percent Oppo% and a 36.1 percent hard-hit rate. In other words, he's hitting the ball hard and in the air with great frequency. Taylor has started 16 games at shortstop and 11 games at third base, and he should be able to move around the diamond as needed.
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Gunnar Henderson 3B | BAL
Orioles' Gunnar Henderson: Batting cleanup Wednesday
Henderson will start at shortstop and bat cleanup in Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.
It's the first time this season that Henderson has batted anywhere other than leadoff. The 22-year-old's production has slowed in May (.649 OPS), so Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is electing to shake things up a bit. Toronto is starting left-hander Yusei Kikuchi on Wednesday, and the left-handed-hitting Henderson has actually been much better versus southpaws (1.008 OPS) this season.
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Orelvis Martinez 2B | WAS
Blue Jays' Orelvis Martinez: Returns to action at Triple-A
Martinez (knee) has started in both of Triple-A Buffalo's last two games Sunday and Tuesday, going 1-for-7 with a home run and two walks between those contests.
Martinez was lifted in Friday's 12-7 win over Worcester when he was hit in the right knee by a pitch in the eighth inning, but after getting Saturday off, the 22-year-old looks to be healthy again. He's posted a .909 OPS through 154 plate appearances with Buffalo this season and should have a chance at making his MLB debut later on in 2024.
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Romy Gonzalez 2B | BOS
Red Sox's Romy Gonzalez: Walks off Rays
Gonzalez went 1-for-1 with an RBI in Tuesday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Rays.
Gonzalez, who entered as a pinch runner for Dominic Smith in the 10th inning, stayed in the game to play first base, then delivered the game-winning run in the 12th with a single just inside the line in right field. The utility infielder has been a serviceable piece for manager Alex Cora, who has deployed him at shortstop and first base, positions where Boston's regulars have suffered significant injuries. Gonzalez has hit safely in six of eight games, going 6-for-19 (.316) with two steals, one RBI and two runs scored.
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Corey Seager SS | TEX
Rangers' Corey Seager: Goes yard again
Seaver went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Tuesday's 7-4 loss to Cleveland.
Seager took advantage of the Globe Life Field roof being open, swatting a solo home run off Ben Lively in the third inning. The shortstop has hit three home runs in his last eight games and is batting .267 with six RBI and an 11.4 percent K rate during that stretch.
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Zachary Neto SS | LAA
Angels' Zach Neto: Sitting Tuesday
Neto isn't in the Angels' lineup Tuesday against the Cardinals, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.
Neto will get a rare day off after going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored during Monday's series opener. Luis Guillorme will fill in at shortstop while Kyren Paris mans the keystone.
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Paul DeJong SS | NYY
White Sox's Paul DeJong: Idle for first game
DeJong is out of the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Nationals on Tuesday.
The 30-year-old will give way to Braden Shewmake at shortstop. DeJong will likely re-enter the lineup for the nightcap with a southpaw (Mitchell Parker) set to start for the Nationals.
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Brayan Rocchio SS | CLE
Guardians' Brayan Rocchio: Notches seventh steal
Rocchio went 2-for-4 with one RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 7-0 win over the Rangers.
Rocchio looked decent at the plate in early May, but he went 0-for-11 across three games versus the White Sox over the weekend. The shortstop has at least shown good speed with seven steals on nine attempts this season. He's added a middling .212/.296/.280 slash line with seven RBI, 18 runs scored and eight doubles through 136 plate appearances. Rocchio continues to hold down a starting role and even got a look at leadoff versus a lefty (Garrett Crochet) Friday as the Guardians look for a solution at the top of the order with Steven Kwan (hamstring) sidelined.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Set for rehab assignment
Crawford (oblique) took part in batting practice Monday and will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.
Crawford has been on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain since April 25, but he appears to be on the cusp of returning to the big-league roster. He'll likely need to participate in multiple contests during his rehab assignment in Triple-A before being activated and could join the team in Baltimore ahead of its three-game series with the Orioles beginning Friday.