MLB Player News

Witt went 3-for-5 with one RBI, a run scored and two steals in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Cubs.

Witt reached base in three of his first four trips to the plate, swiping two bags along the way as the Royals tried to keep pace with Chicago's offense. It marked the shortstop's third consecutive multi-hit game and ninth overall in the month of August, during which he's batting .389 with six homers, 19 RBI and seven steals.

Baez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Kerry Carpenter got the scoring started with a three-run home run in the first inning, and then Baez provided the deciding run with his eighth long ball of the season in the seventh. It's been a disappointing season for the shortstop, who's sitting with just a .592 OPS. Baez may also finish with his fewest home runs in a full season since he hit one as a 22-year-old back in 2015. Since then, he's had at least 14 home runs every year except for the condensed 2020 campaign, when he recorded eight long balls in 59 games.

Basabe went 4-for-9 with two doubles, a walk, three runs and two RBI across both games of a doubleheader split versus the Angels on Saturday.

Basabe notched a hit and scored a run in the matinee before breaking through with three knocks in the nightcap. Two of those hits went for a double, both of which knocked in a run. That Basabe started both games of the twin bill emphasizes the near-everyday role he has settled into since his promotion from the minors Aug. 12. He's slashed .286/.355/.393 with three doubles, six runs and four RBI over seven contests since the call-up.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a pair of solo home runs and a walk in Saturday's 7-2 extra-inning loss to the Orioles.

Diaz took Cole Irvin deep in the second inning and tagged former teammate Shintaro Fujinami for the other homer in the sixth. The two-homer game snapped a 35-game power drought for Diaz, who had seven doubles while batting .236 in that span. He's at a .224/.283/.323 slash line for the year after his third multi-hit effort in his last four games. The utilityman has added 19 RBI, 22 runs scored, 13 doubles and a stolen base through 280 plate appearances this year.

Reyes went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in Saturday's win over the Yankees.

Reyes reached base in each of his first four trips to the plate and drove home Masataka Yoshida with an automatic double in the top of the eighth. The shortstop also swiped a bag in the contest for only the third time this season, and he's now hit safely in four of his last five games. Furthermore, it marked his sixth multi-hit game this month, raising his season average to .322.

Crawford cleared concussion protocol and will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Everett on Saturday.

Crawford landed on the 7-day concussion IL on Aug. 11 after colliding with teammate Eugenio Suarez the previous day. He's now been deemed fit to return to game action and will make a couple tune-up appearances in the minors before returning as Seattle's everyday shortstop. Crawford was slashing .307/.431/.466 since the All-Star break prior to his injury.

Kessinger was placed on the injured list Saturday due to health and safety protocols, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reports.

The ambiguous language used by the Astros matches the language typically used by teams when players land on the COVID-19 injured list. Assuming that's the case, it's difficult to say exactly when Kessinger will be able to return. Corey Julks was called up to take his roster spot.

Bichette (knee) was activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game in Cincinnati.

Bichette has been out since the start of August while dealing with patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He looks ready to go following two minor-league rehab appearances in which he went 4-for-5 with a home run. Paul DeJong was designated for assignment to clear room for Bichette on Toronto's 26-man active roster.

Basabe went 2-for-5 with a run scored Friday against the Angels.

Basabe has started all five games at shortstop since being promoted by the Rays and has consistently hit in the bottom third of the order. Friday's performance marked the first multi-hit performance of his career, and he's gone 4-for-19 overall. Basabe also has seven strikeouts and only one extra-base hit, though it appears that he'll have the chance to work through any additional development at the big-league level.

Story will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Yankees.

Story sits for just the second time in 11 games since returning from elbow surgery. He hasn't exactly hit the ground running after his long absence, slashing .200/.243/.314 after going hitless in his last four games. Pablo Reyes will fill in at shortstop.