MLB Player News

Pena went 1-for-3 with a stolen base Saturday against the Rangers.

Pena shifted down to the bottom of the order for the first time since April 25, though that didn't stop him from being productive. He collected a two-out single in the second inning and proceeded to steal second base -- his third swipe of the season. Since returning from a knee injury, Pena has gone 5-for-17 with a solo home run, two runs scored and two stolen bases across five games. Overall, he owns a .279/.338/.508 line in 136 plate appearances.

Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with a run scored in Saturday's 6-5 win over the Mariners.

Bogaerts, who was removed from Friday night's game with a back issue, was back in the lineup for Saturday's afternoon affair. The shortstop extended his on-base streak to 25 games.

Downs experienced discomfort in his side and was removed from Triple-A Worcester's game Saturday, Katie Morrison of MassLive.com reports.

The decision to remove Downs is seen as precautionary. "I think he said it was more on a play in the field that he felt it a little bit more," Worcester manager Chad Tracy said. "He was a little concerned about swinging and not making it worse. So much like [Refsnyder] yesterday...we have plenty of guys that are available and ready to go." Downs is batting .212/.325/.417 with seven home runs, 13 RBI and 27 runs scored for the WooSox.

Bichette went 2-for-4 with two home runs and three total RBI in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Reds.

As Alek Manoah worked his magic on the mound, Bichette did all the heavy lifting on the offensive side, smacking a solo homer in the fourth inning and a two-run shot in the seventh. Bichette is now up to .248/.287/.406 with six homers, four steals, 20 RBI and 19 runs scored through 40 games. He remains in the No. 2 spot in the order between George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero.

Smith isn't starting Saturday against the Angels.

Smith started in the last seven games and hit .190 with a homer, three RBI and seven strikeouts. Sheldon Neuse will shift to third base while Cristian Pache starts in center field.

Franco (quadriceps) isn't starting Saturday's game against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco tweaked his right quad in the top of the 13th inning Friday, and he'll be held out of the lineup a day later. Whether he's available off the bench is uncertain, but Taylor Walls will shift to shortstop while Harold Ramirez enters the lineup as the designated hitter.

Bogaerts (back) is starting Saturday against the Mariners, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bogaerts was removed from Friday's win over Seattle due to lower back discomfort, but he'll start at shortstop and bat fourth Saturday. Over his last five games, he's gone 3-for-16 with two homers, three runs and three RBI.

Witt went 0-for-2 with a sacrifice fly, a walk and a stolen base in Friday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

Witt's lone RBI of the game came in the first inning. He had hit safely in seven of the previous eight games entering Friday. The 21-year-old is at a .221/.267/.400 slash line with four home runs, 16 RBI, 18 runs scored and six stolen bases through 150 plate appearances this season. Witt's seen more time at his natural shortstop position lately as part of the ripple effect of Michael Taylor (illness) being out, but he might have to compete with the hot-hitting Emmanuel Rivera at third base once Taylor's healthy again.

Franco felt tightness in his right quadriceps while rounding third base in the top of the 13th inning Friday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco didn't slide into home on a close play at the plate, and he revealed after the game that he was dealing with a quad injury. He went 0-for-5 with a walk in the 8-6 loss and said he isn't yet sure whether he'll be available Saturday against Baltimore. If Franco is held out, Taylor Walls or Vidal Brujan would likely fill in at shortstop.

Story went 1-for-4 with a grand slam in Friday's 7-3 win over Seattle.

Story launched a grand slam off of Robbie Ray in the third inning to get Boston on the board. Story was pumped as he rounded the bases, but the slam was equally exciting for the person who caught the home run ball, former Red Sock and member of the 2013 World Champions Jonny Gomes. After starting his Red Sox career with a 25-game homerless drought, Story has six over his last nine games, including four in just the last two days. He's raised his OPS from .613 to .746 with his two-day onslaught.