MLB Player News

Diaz will start at second base and bat second in Sunday's game against the Guardians.

After a one-game absence due to a sore ring finger, Diaz checked back into the lineup for Saturday's 4-1 loss, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles an an RBI. He'll make his second straight start in the middle infield, this time replacing a resting Jose Altuve after spelling Jeremy Pena on Saturday. Moving forward, Diaz is projected to see most of his playing time in left field while the Astros wait for Michael Brantley (shoulder) to return from the injured list.

Duran went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI fielder's choice in an 8-0 win over the White Sox on Saturday.

Duran showed why scouts admire the raw power in his bat by taking a hanging slider from Michael Kopech to the opposite field for his third home run of the season. The 23-year-old infielder was called up after the All-Star break and is slashing .233/.276/.379 in 116 at-bats for the Rangers in his rookie season. Duran is worth watching down the stretch to see if the power he displayed in the minor leagues can translate into success at the major-league level.

Chang went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in a 9-1 loss to the Tigers on Saturday.

Chang has been playing very good baseball since being picked up off waivers by the Rays in early July. The backup utility player is now slashing .342/.375/.474 with one home run in 38 at-bats with his new team. Chang could continue to find his way into the number nine spot in the Rays lineup, which has been depleted by hand injuries to Wander Franco and Harold Ramirez.

Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and an additional RBI in a 7-1 win against the Mariners in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader.

Fletcher launched a two-run homer to left field off Seattle starter Chris Flexen in the sixth inning and singled home another run in the ninth. The 28-year-old had sat out the last two games due to a foot injury on the heels of missing over two months as a result of a hip injury but appears to be healthy now. Fletcher is slashing .220/.270/.424 with two long balls, six runs and eight RBI in 21 contests. He has yet to attempt a stolen base after recording 15 thefts last year.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Twins.

Bichette accounted for the Blue Jays' offense with a two-run homer in the fourth inning and an RBI single in the eighth. He's gone 7-for-22 (.318) through five games in August, lifting his season slash line up to .262/.303/.424 with 15 long balls, 59 RBI, 59 runs scored and seven stolen bases through 106 contests.

Velazquez is not in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Velazquez is playing more of late, but he will not start both games of Saturday's twin bill. David Fletcher will get the nod at shortstop in the nightcap.

Fletcher (foot) is in the lineup for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Mariners.

Fletcher injured his foot when he was struck by a pitch in Thursday's game, and he wound up sitting out Friday's contest and the first game of the twin bill. He is ready to return to action, though, and will play shortstop and hit seventh Saturday night.

Lopez was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

Lopez had been on the taxi squad and was officially added ahead of Saturday's game, replacing George Springer (elbow) on the roster. While Lopez does not pack a big offensive punch, he can help out all across the diamond, at least until the Blue Jays need to swap him out for a fresh bullpen arm.

Diaz (finger) will bat sixth and play shortstop Saturday against the Guardians.

Diaz missed Friday's game with a sore left ring finger, but the issue was evidently a minor one. He'll return to the lineup to give the slumping Jeremy Pena a rest.

Pena will sit Saturday against Cleveland.

Pena sits after starting nine straight games, a stretch in which he struggled to a .356 OPS while going hitless six times. Aledmys Diaz (finger) will get the start at shortstop.