MLB Player News
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Swipes bag Friday
Baez went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 2-0 loss to the White Sox.
Baez broke up Chicago's combined no-hit bid with his leadoff single in the seventh inning. He then stole his fifth base of the season before adding another single in the ninth for his second straight multi-hit game. The veteran infielder continues to show small flashes this season but he's yet to really put it together; Baez improved his slash line to .224/.266/.379 through 99 games.
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Jorge Mateo SS | ATL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Perfect day at plate
Mateo went 5-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 10-3 win over Tampa Bay.
The 27-year-old drove in his runs with hits against Corey Kluber, including a second-inning double. Over his last 25 games, Mateo has gone 30-for-89 (.337) with 15 extra-base hits and 10 multi-hit performances. He's boosted his slash line on the year to .230/.277/.404 through 370 plate appearances.
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Jorge Mateo SS | ATL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Posts 27th steal
Mateo went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Red Sox.
Mateo is one off the big-league lead in steals, as his theft Friday was his 27th of the year. Miami's Jon Berti (groin) remains atop the leaderboard and should be back within a week, which could keep Mateo out of the top spot, but the Orioles' shortstop is cemented as one of the best speedsters in the league. He's also done well with the bat in August, slashing .290/.353/.613 with three home runs, eight RBI, seven runs scored and a double through his last nine games. Overall, he's slashing .218/.267/.389 with 11 long balls, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored, five triples and 15 doubles through 103 games.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Scores twice off bench
Witt went 1-for-1 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Thursday's 5-3 win over the White Sox.
Witt didn't start Thursday, but he ran for Hunter Dozier in the seventh inning and scored on a Nicky Lopez single. In the eighth, Witt singled and stole second before tallying an insurance run on a Michael Taylor single. Through nine games in August, Witt's posted a .273/.314/.364 slash line with a home run, six RBI, six runs scored and a pair of steals. He continues to split time between third base and shortstop, depending on where Hunter Dozier slots into the lineup.
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Xander Bogaerts SS | SD
Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts: Adds to accomplishments
Bogaerts went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 4-3 win over Baltimore.
Bogaerts and Alex Verdugo ripped back-to-back doubles in the first inning to give Boston an early lead. It was the 300th career two-bagger for Bogaerts, who became the eighth player in Red Sox history with 150 or more home runs and 300 or more doubles. The 29-year-old shortstop joined Carl Yastrzemski as the second Red Sox player to achieve that feat before turning 30. Bogaerts is slashing .309/.379/.451 with nine homers, 48 RBI and 62 runs scored over 108 games this season.
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Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Hits 11th home run
Baez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Thursday's extra-inning loss to the Guardians.
Baez hit his 11th home run of the season in the sixth inning against Cleveland starter Zach Plesac. The shortstop has been disappointing overall in his first season in Detroit, as his .642 OPS would be his worst since the .551 OPS he posted across 52 games as a rookie in 2014. By contrast, Baez posted an .813 OPS and 31 home runs with the Cubs and Mets last year.
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Josh H. Smith 2B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Remains out of lineup
Smith isn't starting Thursday against the Astros.
Smith's playing time has declined recently, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Ezequiel Duran will shift to third base while Charlie Culberson enters the lineup in left field.
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Bobby Witt SS | KC
Royals' Bobby Witt: Day off Thursday
Witt isn't starting Thursday against the White Sox.
Witt is getting a breather after he hit .200 with four RBI and a run over the last five games. Nicky Lopez will shift to shortstop while Michael Massey starts at second base.
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Yu Chang SS | TB
Rays' Yu Chang: Slugs third homer
Chang went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Brewers.
Chang took Brandon Woodruff yard in the fifth inning to record his third homer of the campaign. He's started three of the team's last four games, which has come at the expense of Ji-Man Choi. Though a limited sample, Chang has hit .333 with two homers, six RBI and six runs scored in 16 games since joining the Rays.
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Josh H. Smith 2B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Heads to bench Wednesday
Smith isn't starting Wednesday against Houston.
Smith is out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a run, a stolen base and a strikeout during Tuesday's loss to the Astros. Ezequiel Duran is shifting to third base while Brad Miller serves as the designated hitter.