MLB Player News

Smith (back) has progressed to running the bases at full speed and is close to beginning a rehab assignment, the team's official site reports.

Smith has been sidelined since mid-June with his back strain, and it appears he's finally on the precipice of jumping into game action. Given how long he's been on the shelf -- and the fact the 27-year-old was already struggling to the tune of a .191 average and .546 OPS before getting injured -- a fairly extensive rehab assignment is likely to ensure Smith's timing at the plate is as sharp as possible.

Arias may need season-ending surgery on his hand, John Brophy of PinstripedPros.com reports.

He dealt with a thumb injury last year in his first pro season, which affected his performance in the Dominican Summer League. Arias flashed his upside prior to this year's injury, slashing .267/.423/.505 with six home runs and 17 steals while walking (27) almost as much as he struck out (29) in 27 games. He turns 19 in September and should head to Single-A Tampa for his full-season debut in 2024.

Velazquez went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored in Tuesday's 7-6 victory over Detroit.

Velazquez is now 4-for-7 with a double and a home run in his last two games after going 0-for-11 over his previous 10 contests. It's been a nice run for the 29-year-old utilityman, though he isn't likely to provide much long-term value offensively -- he's now slashing .245/.339/.347 with one homer, one RBI, nine runs scored and nine stolen bases across 57 plate appearances this season. If Zach Neto (back) is forced to miss time, Velazquez should see regular playing time at shortstop.

Crawford is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins after he fouled a ball off his right knee in Tuesday's 9-7 win, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Heading into the week, Seattle had been planning to hold Crawford out of the lineup Wednesday for rest purposes, but the shortstop's absence from the lineup for the series finale may be the result of a legitimate injury. Though Crawford didn't exit early after fouling the ball off himself in the top of the ninth inning, manager Scott Servais said that the 28-year-old was feeling sore after the game, according to the Associated Press. The Mariners have an off day Thursday, so Crawford will have the benefit of extra rest before Seattle returns to action Friday in Arizona.

Crawford is not in the starting lineup Wednesday versus the Twins, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford will get a breather after he went 3-for-8 with two doubles and two runs scored over the team's first two contests of the series. Dylan Moore will slot in at shortstop while Cade Marlowe enters the lineup in left field and bats seventh in the series finale with Minnesota.

Volpe went 1-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 9-3 loss to the Mets.

The rookie shortstop did a little bit of everything, including making his 10th error of the season. Volpe hasn't had a multi-hit performance since July 3, slashing a woeful .130/.203/.278 in 16 games since then with two of his 13 homers and two of his 18 steals on the season.

Bichette went 4-for-6 with a two-run home run and a double in Tuesday's 8-7 extra-inning loss to the Dodgers.

The Blue Jays tallied 12 hits as a team, but Bichette was the only Toronto batter with multiple hits. It was a big game for the shortstop, who entered Tuesday stuck in an 0-for-18 slump. He's back up to a .312/.344/.490 slash line with 17 homers, 56 RBI, 48 runs scored, three stolen bases, 23 doubles and a triple through 101 contests.

Neto (back) was scratched from the Angels' lineup Tuesday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

He had been slated to return to action following a two-game absence with a back issue, but manager Phil Nevin decided to give the rookie one more day. Neto is expected back Wednesday, but Andrew Velazquez will enter the lineup at shortstop Tuesday and Luis Rengifo will move up to the leadoff spot.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Tuesday wouldn't rule out a return this weekend for Story (elbow) if the shortstop says he's ready, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story is currently slated to play shortstop Tuesday, serve as the designated hitter Wednesday and then return to shortstop Thursday in his first three rehab games at Triple-A Worcester. He has already played three rehab contests at Double-A Portland, going 2-for-8 with a home run. Cora did indicate that Story's timing is off at the plate and they didn't want to rush the infielder back, so a return this weekend might be a bit of a push. It shouldn't be long, though.

Neto (back) is playing shortstop and batting leadoff in his return to the lineup Tuesday in Detroit, Erica Weston of Bally Sports West reports.

Neto missed Saturday's and Sunday's games versus the Pirates due to lower-back tightness but is ready to go following Monday's off day. The rookie shortstop has slugged two home runs in seven games since the All-Star break.