MLB Player News

Soto isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Soto started the last four games and went 3-for-13 with a homer, two runs, two RBI and six strikeouts. Luis Rengifo will take over at shortstop and lead off Thursday.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored Wednesday against the Rays.

Diaz opened the scoring for Houston with an RBI single in the opening frame, and he added another run-scoring knock in the eighth inning. Though he doesn't have a consistent defensive home, Diaz has started five of nine games since being activated from the injured list Sept. 13. In that span, he's hit .333 with two homers, six RBI and three runs scored.

Mateo stole a base and scored a run as a pinch runner in Wednesday's 8-1 win over the Tigers.

Mateo entered the game in the eighth inning after Terrin Vavra got aboard with a single. Prior to Wednesday, Mateo had hit .135 over his last 11 games without recording a steal in that span. He's up to 31 thefts in 39 tries this year while adding a .220/.267/.388 slash line, 13 home runs, 48 RBI, 57 runs scored, seven triples and 22 doubles through 135 contests. He's sat out two of the last five games amid his recent slump at the plate, but he's still likely to see most of the reps at shortstop.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional RBI in Wednesday's victory over the Angels.

After tallying an RBI with a fielder's choice in the second inning, Smith provided a big insurance run for the Rangers on Wednesday , as he hit a solo shot in the seventh to improve the lead to 4-2. The home run was his second of the season and first extra-base hit since July 29. He is slashing .205/.311/.261 through 205 plate appearances this season and will likely maintain a part-time role moving forward.

Soto will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Rangers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Soto will garner his fourth consecutive start and looks on track to serve as the Angels' everyday shortstop for as long as David Fletcher (hand) remains on the injured list. Through his first three starts, the 22-year-old rookie has gone 3-for-11 with a home run.

Story (heel) isn't starting Wednesday against the Reds, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Story is out of the lineup for a seventh consecutive game due to a heel issue, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return to the field. Enrique Hernandez will take his place at second base and bat ninth.

Mateo isn't starting Wednesday against the Tigers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mateo started the last three games and went 1-for-10 with a double, an RBI and two strikeouts. Gunnar Henderson will take over at shortstop and bat third.

Allen went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run in a win over the Mariners on Tuesday.

Allen was busy on the basepaths throughout the night with his latest encouraging offensive performance. The 23-year-old has now hit safely in four straight -- and eight out of his last nine games overall -- cobbling together a .324 average and .367 on-base percentage over the latter stretch. With the Athletics closing the book on a non-contending season, Allen should continue benefitting from plenty of reps against big-league arms the rest of the way through an everyday role at shortstop.

Franco went 2-for-2 with a double and two walks Tuesday against the Astros.

Franco had two of the Rays' three hits on the night, highlighted by a double in the sixth inning. He's in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak, though he's produced only two RBI and one run scored in that span. Franco has had a disappointing season, as he has just a .125 ISO with five home runs and five stolen bases across 295 plate appearances.

Pena went 2-for-4 with a three-run home run and a walk Tuesday against the Rays.

Pena took Shane McClanahan deep in the third inning to account for the majority of Houston's offense and his 19th homer of the season. He hit only one home run in a 38-game stretch between July 27 and Aug. 19, but since Sept. 9 Pena has now slugged three long balls with seven RBI and 10 runs scored across 11 starts. For the season, Pena has maintained a .249/.288/.411 line across 514 plate appearances.