MLB Player News

Baez went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Thursday's 10-3 win over the Royals.

Baez played a big role in the blowout win with his 16th home run of the season leading the way. He's still just over half of the way to the 31 long balls he hit in 2021, as his production has dipped across the board in his first year with the Tigers. Baez is still capable of breaking out in 2023, and he figures to come at a discount in fantasy drafts.

Fletcher (hand) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Thursday, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Fletcher spent just over the minimum of 10 days on the injured list with a bone bruise in his hand, but he resumed swinging recently and has been cleared for game action for the final few days of the regular season. The 28-year-old is starting Thursday against Oakland and should see plenty of playing time for the Angels over the next week.

Seager (forearm) isn't starting Thursday against the Mariners.

Seager has been dealing with a bruised left forearm since Tuesday and underwent X-rays that came back negative, but he'll be held out of the lineup for a second consecutive game. Josh Smith will take over at shortstop and bat ninth.

Story (heel) is dealing with an illness and is unlikely to play again this season, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

The Red Sox hoped to get Story back from the heel injury before the season came to a close, but his illness will prevent him from traveling for Boston's upcoming series in Toronto, and he's unlikely to be activated for the three-game set versus Tampa Bay next week. Assuming Story is indeed done for the year, the trio of Christian Arroyo, Enrique Hernandez and Yu Chang will hold down second base the rest of the way.

Smith started at shortstop and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a caught stealing in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Mariners.

Smith started in place of the injured Corey Seager (forearm), who may have avoided serious damage after being plunked by a pitch Tuesday, though it's unclear how much time Seager will miss. With left-hander Marco Gonzales on the bump Thursday for the Mariners, the left-handed hitting Smith may take a seat even if Seager is not ready to return.

Seager (forearm) is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Mariners.

Seager suffered a bruised left forearm from a hit-by-pitch Tuesday and will be sidelined for at least one game. The 28-year-old had X-rays come back negative, so he appears to have avoided a serious injury and should be considered day-to-day. Josh Smith will move to shortstop while Kole Calhoun takes Seager's spot in the lineup.

Story (heel) is scheduled to hit against rehabbing starting pitcher Kutter Crawford (shoulder) in a simulated game Tuesday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Story, who has been sidelined since Sept. 11 with a left heel contusion, is still angling to play again in 2022, though the Red Sox don't plan to activate him from the 10-day injured list until Monday at the soonest. Facing live pitching marks a step in the right direction for Story, but he'll still need to resume defensive drills and a running program before the Red Sox sign off on his return.

Witt is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers.

Witt had started in every game for the Royals since Aug. 12, so he was probably overdue for a day off. His move to the bench comes while he's in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batting .364 with nine runs, eight RBI and a stolen base. Nicky Lopez will step in at shortstop for Witt.

Soto went 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Athletics.

The 22-year-old rookie has turned in four consecutive two-hit games to lift his batting average up to .379 through his first 32 big-league plate appearances. A .500 BABIP has had a major role in propping up Soto's batting average, and his 28.1 percent strikeout rate is another data point that suggests some regression could be in the forecast. Even if that's the case, Soto should at least continue to enjoy a full-time role in the Los Angeles infield while David Fletcher (hand) remains on the injured list.

Smith entered Tuesday's 5-0 win over Seattle as a pinch runner after Corey Seager left with a forearm injury.

Seager, who was removed after being plunked on the inner left forearm, was replaced by Smith on the bases then in the field for the final inning. Seager is considered day-to-day, which could lead to starts for Smith in the coming days. Mark Mathias and Charlie Culberson are also around for infield depth.