MLB Player News

Baez went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Friday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals.

Baez didn't homer in all of April, but he's now gone deep three times over four games in May. He also has three multi-hit efforts in his last five contests. For the season, the shortstop is slashing .260/.322/.394 with 15 RBI, 14 runs scored and two stolen bases through 115 plate appearances.

Witt is absent from the Royals' lineup for Friday's game against the Athletics.

It's a rare day off for the young infielder. Maikel Garcia will handle shortstop while Witt gets some rest, with Hunter Dozier covering third base.

Mateo is batting leadoff and playing shortstop for the Orioles on Friday in Atlanta, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

It's the first time Mateo has ever batted leadoff for the Orioles and just the third time during his time with the club that he's batted higher than fifth. He's earned it by putting up a robust .968 OPS this season. Austin Hays has mostly batted leadoff lately versus lefties, but he's out with a finger injury.

Witt went 3-for-5 with a double, a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 13-10 loss to the Orioles.

Witt delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the seventh inning, but he was caught stealing immediately afterwards, limiting the Royals' chance to rally. He's now 8-for-10 on the basepaths this season. The shortstop has gone 5-for-14 (.357) with three extra-base hits over three games in May, but on the season he's slashing .237/.281/.435 with five home runs, 13 RBI, 21 runs scored, five doubles and three triples through 32 games as the Royals' main leadoff hitter.

Mateo went 1-for-4 with a walk, an RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 13-10 win over the Royals.

Mateo had gone five games without a steal prior to Thursday. He's hit safely in nine of his last 10 contests, going 10-for-37 (.270) with three home runs and three steals in that span. For the season, the shortstop is slashing .321/.372/.595 with six homers, 11 thefts, 19 RBI and 23 runs scored through 96 plate appearances.

Crawford went 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs in a win over the Athletics on Thursday.

The veteran shortstop is just 2-for-23 over his last seven games following a 3-for-4 effort that featured a grand slam against the Phillies on April 26, but he still managed to make an impact Thursday. Crawford's multi-run effort was his fourth of the season, and despite a middling .226 batting average, he's maintaining an elite .374 OBP thanks to a 19.0 percent walk rate.

Anderson is absent from the White Sox's lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins.

Anderson had three hits Wednesday, but the team just wants to ease him back into things after he returned from a knee injury earlier this week. Elvis Andrus will play shortstop and Lenyn Sosa will handle second base.

Neto (finger) is in the Angels' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Cardinals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Neto had to leave Wednesday's game when a finger got hit during a bunt attempt, but he's ready to roll a day later. He will bat leadoff and play shortstop against Jack Flaherty.

Neto (finger) said in an interview on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM on Thursday that he "woke up this morning feeling like a brand new person."

It doesn't necessarily mean Neto will be ready to return to the lineup Thursday in St. Louis, but it's certainly an encouraging sign he'll be back soon. Neto suffered a right finger contusion on a bunt attempt Wednesday.

Texas manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that Seager (hamstring) is seven-to-10 days from returning to the lineup.

That time frame presumably includes a short rehab assignment for Seager, who was seen this week taking grounders with infielders and performing other baseball-related activities. Until his return, Ezequiel Duran should continue to hold down shortstop.