MLB Player News

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said that Diaz, who exited Saturday's game against the Reds with a hamstring injury, will likely be placed on the injured list, MLB.com reports.

The veteran was replaced by pinch runner Kevin Smith at third base in the second inning, apparently having initially hurt himself when diving for a hard grounder by the Reds' Tyler Stephenson in the top of the frame. Kotsay noted Diaz is due for further evaluation Sunday, but given the nature of soft-tissue injuries, the expectation is that some time off will be in order. Nick Allen, who was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on April 14, is expected to be in line for a return to the big-league club if Diaz's IL stint indeed comes to fruition.

Manager Pedro Grifol said Anderson (knee) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The 29-year-old has been on the shelf just under three weeks with a knee sprain, and he'll rejoin the White Sox on Tuesday after a brief rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte this weekend. Anderson will reclaim the starting job at shortstop once activated, pushing Elvis Andrus back to the keystone and Lenyn Sosa out of a regular role.

Franco is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Ryan Bass of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Franco gets a day of rest after appearing in nine straight games while contributing a homer and stolen base in Saturday's victory over the White Sox. Taylor Walls will get the start at shortstop for the series finale against Chicago and will hit sixth.

Mateo went 1-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run during a 7-4 loss to the Tigers in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader.

His eighth-inning long ball off Mason Englert came when the game was well out of hand. After a 1-for-4 effort in the nightcap, Mateo has a six-game hitting streak going, but his .333 batting average (7-for-21) during that stretch has actually dragged down his slash line on the season a bit. Through 22 games, the 27-year-old boasts a .353/.403/.647 line with five homers, 10 steals, 16 RBI and 20 runs.

Franco went 2-for-4 with a home run, three RBI, two runs scored and one steal in Saturday's win over the White Sox.

The Rays were being no hit entering the seventh inning, but Franco ended that with a solo shot off Lance Lynn. He singled later in the inning and finished the frame with two hits, three RBI and two runs as the Rays rallied for 10 runs. Franco has a .300/.364/.545 slash line with five long balls, 17 RBI, 17 runs and six steals in 27 games.

Duran went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer in Saturday's 2-0 win over the Yankees.

Duran produced the only offense in Saturday's game, as he hammered a Jhony Brito changeup 389 feet. The utility man is rolling to start the season with a .310/.344/.810 slash line. Duran has played multiple games at second base, third base, shortstop and left field this season, though he's seen most of his action at shortstop of late with Corey Seager (hamstring) on the shelf.

Diaz left Saturday's game against the Reds with a left hamstring injury, Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He went 1-for-1 with an RBI and a stolen base before exiting.

Diaz was replaced as a pinch runner by Kevin Smith shortly after singling in Carlos Perez in the second inning. The versatile infielder should be considered day-to-day at this point.

Neto is leading off Saturday against Corbin Burnes and the Brewers.

Taylor Ward, who has led off almost all season, is dropped down to seventh against the tough righty, while Neto ascends to the top of the lineup. The rookie shortstop has hit first in a couple games but has usually hit eighth or ninth. Neto is hitting .244/.333/.333 with zero home runs, zero steals, zero walks and a 17.6 percent strikeout rate in 14 games.

Smith is not in the lineup Saturday against the Yankees.

Smith has been a versatile defender out of the gate for the Rangers, but he is just 7-for-48 (.146) with one extra-base hit through 21 games.

Baez (hand) is back in the lineup for the first half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Orioles.

Baez suffered a left hand contusion Wednesday when he was hit by a pitch, but he apparently feels well enough now to return as the Tigers' designated hitter in the early tilt at Comerica Park. He'll bat third versus O's right-hander Dean Kremer.