MLB Player News

Duran isn't in the Rangers' lineup Saturday against the Padres.

Duran is slashing just .154/.250/.256 across 44 plate appearances since the All-Star break, so he'll take Saturday off to regroup. Josh Smith will start at shortstop in Duran's place and bat ninth.

Neto (back) isn't in the Angels' lineup Saturday against Toronto, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Neto was scratched from Friday's lineup due to his nagging back stiffness issue, and it will keep him out for at least one more game Saturday. Luis Rengifo will fill in at shortstop, allowing Michael Stefanic to start at second base and bat ninth.

Pena went 1-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base Friday against the Rays.

Pena enjoyed a productive game, nabbing his 10th stolen base of the season and second since the return from the All-Star break. Despite hitting second in the order in seven of the team's last nine games, he has also shown few signs of improvement at the plate by hitting .206 with only two RBI and four runs scored in that span. Pena has had a disappointing season overall, as he's maintained only an 82 wRC+ and .289 wOBA across 391 plate appearances for the campaign.

Smith (back) started at shortstop in Triple-A Las Vegas' loss to Sugar Land on Friday and played five innings, going 1-for-2.

Smith made his rehab debut with the Aviators on Thursday as the designated hitter, so the fact he was able to not only play on back-to-back days, but also log five innings in the field while doing so, was certainly encouraging. Smith has been sidelined since mid-June with his back strain, so he likely needs at least several more rehab games before he's fully back in sync physically and mentally.

Story (elbow) went 1-for-2 with a walk and a solo home run for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Story played the field once again and is looking ready to be activated. The Red Sox's official site indicates Story could be activated when the team begins a homestand next Friday against the Blue Jays.

Allen went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, a walk and a run in a win over the Rockies on Friday.

The struggling shortstop was one of several Athletics bats to take advantage of the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field in Friday's offensive breakout. Allen's triple was his first at the big-league level, and the multi-hit effort, his first since July 15, snapped the 24-year-old out of a 1-for-25 skid that had encompassed his previous eight games.

Witt went 4-for-5 with a double, a grand slam, six total RBI, two runs scored and a steal in Friday's victory over the Twins.

Witt provided a memorable moment in front of the home crowd with his walk-off grand slam against Twins closer Jhoan Duran, capping off a four-hit effort with his first homer since July 16. The 23-year-old stuffed the stat sheet and is now up to 17 home runs and 29 steals through 103 games this season. Expectations seemed almost impossibly high for Witt as a prospect breaking into the majors and yet he's managed to live up to those expectations. He's looking like a potential first-round pick in roto leagues next year.

Crawford (knee) went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Friday's 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks.

Crawford missed Wednesday's game with a knee injury, but an off day Thursday allowed him to heal enough to get back in the lineup. The shortstop has put together an excellent July, batting .329 (28-for-85) with 12 walks over 22 contests. He's up to a .261/.368/.400 slash line with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 54 runs scored and a stolen base through 96 contests, and he continues to look solid atop the Mariners' lineup.

Crawford (knee) is back in the lineup Friday at Arizona.

Crawford will start at shortstop and bat leadoff for the visiting Mariners after missing Wednesday's series finale in Minnesota due to a right knee contusion. It was never a serious concern.

Neto was scratched from the lineup Friday versus the Blue Jays due to renewed back stiffness, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Andrew Velazquez will play shortstop and bat ninth for the Angels as Neto continues to struggle through a back issue that first popped up last weekend. He is considered day-to-day.