MLB Player News

Franco's early exit Saturday against the Reds was due to discomfort in his right hand and wrist, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco has already missed nearly a month due to injury this season, though that was for an unrelated quadriceps issue. The Rays seem concerned that this latest injury could require a trip to the injured list as well, as he's already been ruled out for Sunday's series finale and will visit a doctor Monday.

Franco exited Saturday's game against the Reds for undisclosed reasons after just one inning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco struck out looking in the top of the first inning and did not take the field for the bottom of the inning. Yu Chang entered the game at second base, pushing Taylor Walls to shortstop. The reason for Franco's absence should emerge following Saturday's game, if not before.

Pena (illness) isn't in the lineup Saturday against Oakland, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena is out of the lineup for a third consecutive game due to the league's health and safety protocols, but it's encouraging that he hasn't been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Mauricio Dubon is starting at shortstop and batting second.

Witt (hand) went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Witt missed a couple of games after he was hit by a pitch on the hand Tuesday versus the Astros. He's hit safely in his last three games, going 4-for-13 (.308) in that span. The rookie should be good to go for an everyday role at shortstop going forward. He's slashing .236/.285/.442 with 12 home runs, 13 steals, 42 RBI, 43 runs scored, 16 doubles and five triples through 78 contests.

Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout Friday but will be held out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Charlie Culberson is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

Mateo isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mateo started in the last five games and went 2-for-15 with three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. He'll get a breather while Ramon Urias shifts to shortstop with Tyler Nevin starting at third base.

Story went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 12-5 loss to the Yankees.

He took Nestor Cortes deep in the fourth inning, but the Red Sox were already staring into a 9-2 deficit at that point. Story has gone yard three times during his five-game hit streak, and while the surge has only lifted his slash line on the year to .224/.295/.432, he's still been productive with 15 homers, 10 steals, 46 runs and 55 RBI through 77 contests.

Crawford went 2-for-5 with an RBI double and a run in an extra-innings win over the Blue Jays on Friday.

Crawford came through with a man on again, as his third-inning two-bagger plated Julio Rodriguez to snap a 1-1 tie. The veteran shortstop has delivered some timely hits of late and now boasts a six-game hitting streak that dates back to June 28.

Seager went 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and a walk in Friday's 6-5 win over Minnesota.

Seager drilled his home run off Caleb Thielbar as part of the Rangers' six-run fifth inning. He's 5-for-12 with two homers and six RBI over his last three games, improving his season slash line to .237/.308/.433 through 347 plate appearances. He's up to 17 long balls this year, surpassing his 2021 total in 16 fewer games.

Pena (undisclosed) isn't starting Friday's game against the Athletics.

Pena was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to the league's health and safety protocols, and he'll remain out of the starting nine for a second consecutive game. The 24-year-old traveled with the team to Oakland, so he should be considered day-to-day for now. Mauricio Dubon is starting at shortstop and batting eighth.