MLB Player News

Witt went 0-for-4 with one RBI and a stolen base in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Witt got the Royals on the board with a fielder's choice in the ninth inning, and he stole second but was left there to end the game. While he's gone just 1-for-16 over his last four games, he's also managed two steals in that span. The shortstop has gone 11 contests without a walk, striking out 13 times in that span. He's slashing just .228/.266/.430 with 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 35 runs scored and 17 steals through 55 games. The poor plate discipline has seen him hitting in the heart of the order recently after opening the year as the Royals' leadoff man.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Tuesday that Mateo is an option to play some center field while Cedric Mullins (groin) is out, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mateo's defense at shortstop is his best asset right now as he struggles at the plate, so it seems doubtful he'd be used on a regular basis in center field. He does have past experience at the position, although he hasn't played there since 2021.

Franco went 1-for-4 with a stolen base Monday in a loss to the Cubs.

Franco notched Tampa Bay's only hit of the game, breaking up Marcus Stroman's no-hitter in the seventh inning with a leadoff single. The speedy shortstop proceeded to steal second base but didn't advance any further. Franco extended his hitting streak to six games with the base knock, and he's swiped five bags over that span. He ranks third in the majors with 19 thefts on the campaign.

Volpe is not in the lineup Monday versus the Mariners, Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News reports.

It's a rare day off for Volpe, who has now started 52 of a possible 56 games this season. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will handle shortstop Monday.

Witt went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and one steal in Monday's 7-0 win over the Cardinals.

Witt stole his 16th bag of the season and hit his 10th home run of the year. The only other players with double figures in each of those categories already are Ronald Acuna and Josh Lowe. Witt hit 20 long balls and stole 30 bags as a rookie last year, and the 22-year-old is on pace to shatter both of those marks in 2023, barring he stays healthy.

Seager went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run and an additional RBI in Monday's 5-0 victory over Detroit.

Seager missed over a month on the injured list due to a hamstring injury, and since going 0-for-3 in his return, the shortstop has collected 14 hits (eight for extra bases), 18 RBI and eight runs over his past 10 appearances. The 2012 first-round pick signed a 10-year, $325 million deal with the Rangers following the 2021 campaign and went on to hit a career-high 33 homers in his first season with Texas. He already has five long balls through 22 appearances in 2023, but Seager's shown more diversity at the plate this year, slashing .333/.398/.607 across 84 plate appearances.

Allen is out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta.

After starting each of the past four games and going 2-for-12, Allen's season-long batting average now sits at .200 for the season. Since he isn't hitting for much power and owns a weak 6.6 percent walk rate, Allen could be starting to lose some security as the Athletics' top shortstop. Oakland will turn to Aledmys Diaz as their starting shortstop and cleanup hitter Monday with the hope that he can offer more production from the position.

Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Tigers.

With southpaw Matthew Boyd on the bump for Detroit, Smith and fellow lefty hitter Travis Jankowski will both head to the bench while the righty-hitting Bubba Thompson picks up a start in left field. While Ezequiel Duran (oblique) is on the shelf, Smith and Jankowski will likely be jockeying for one spot in Texas' everyday lineup versus right-handed pitching.

Correa went 1-for-4 in his return to Sunday's lineup against the Blue Jays.

Correa was slotted back in at shortstop and hit third after sitting out Saturday's game while managing some foot and heel discomfort. He singled his first time up and nearly missed a home run to center in the eighth. It's been an unusually slow season thus far at the plate for the 28-year-old, who is now slashing .216/.392/.700 with six homers, 24 RBI, 14 runs and a 24:45 BB:K over 201 plate appearances.

Pena went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Sunday's 10-1 win over the Athletics.

Pena hadn't homered in 22 games entering this weekend, but he's gone deep in back-to-back contests. During the power drought, he hit .244 (20-for-82) with five extra-base hits, and he was caught stealing four times in that span. It's been a tough start to 2023 for the shortstop, whose .247/.292/.439 slash line through 51 games isn't all that different from where he ended last year. He's added eight homers, 26 RBI, 28 runs scored and six stolen bases while maintaining a near-everyday place in the lineup.