MLB Player News

Crawford went 2-for-4 with a walk and two runs in a win over the Rays on Monday.

The hot-hitting shortstop continued his recent surge, producing his fourth multi-hit effort in the last seven games. Crawford owns a .323 average and .400 on-base percentage over that sample of 35 plate appearances while striking out at a modest 17.1 percent clip. He's been a short on impactful hits, however, counting a double as his only extra-base knock during that span.

Mondesi (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday.

Sidelined since June 20 with a strained left oblique, Mondesi is finally ready to move on to the final phase of his recovery program by taking part in minor-league games. Since Mondesi has already spent time on the shelf with two other lower-half injuries this season (a strained right oblique and a strained left hamstring), the Royals could elect to take it slowly with his rehab assignment. According to Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City, general manager Dayton Moore hinted Monday that once he returns from the 10-day injured list, Mondesi could be subject to more frequent maintenance days as the Royals aim to preserve him from the long haul. Even if he plays only five or six times per week, Mondesi should remain one of the league's top stolen-base threats, assuming his injuries haven't compromised his speed or aggressiveness on the basepaths.

The Blue Jays promoted Martinez from Low-A Dunedin to High-A Vancouver on Tuesday, Scott Mitchell of TSN.ca reports.

The 19-year-old outfielder has enjoyed a breakout campaign at Dunedin, hitting .279 with 19 home runs over 325 plate appearances. Martinez's 26.2 percent strikeout rate is somewhat worrisome, and he may need to cut that down (or at least not increase it) in order to remain productive against the more advanced pitching at High-A.

Franco isn't starting Monday against the Mariners, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Franco will get a breather for the first time since July 19 after he went 6-for-11 with two triples, a double, four RBI and three runs across the last three games. Joey Wendle will start at shortstop and bat fifth.

Franco went 2-for-3 with a run scored Sunday in the Rays' 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

After turning in his third consecutive two-hit performance, Franco's batting average is now up to a palatable .250 through his first 30 games in the big leagues. The Rays' ample depth in the infield makes predicting the team's everyday lineup a difficult endeavor, but Franco status as a switch hitter will put him less at risk of falling into a platoon than the likes of Joey Wendle, Yandy Diaz and Brandon Lowe.

Cleveland optioned Chang to Triple-A Columbus on Monday, Ryan Lewis of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.

Rather than Chang, Cleveland will keep Owen Miller around as a short-side platoon partner at first base with the lefty-hitting Bobby Bradley, who was reinstated from the bereavement list Monday in a corresponding move. Chang appeared in 11 games during his latest stint in the big leagues, going 7-for-29 with three runs and two RBI.

General manager Dayton Moore acknowledged Monday that the Royals can't realistically count on Mondesi (oblique) to handle an everyday role in 2022 in light of his injury history, Josh Vernier of 610 Sports Kansas City reports. "No. You can't [count on Mondesi playing every day]...We're learning that we're going to have to manage his workloads in ways that he may not be a guy that plays more than 100 games...We can't count on him as an everyday player."

Given the overwhelming positivity GMs tend to express about players like Mondesi who are viewed as cornerstone pieces for their franchises, Moore's admission is surprising, and probably a fair assessment at this stage. Residing on the injured list for the third time this season, Mondesi hasn't played since June 20 due to a left oblique strain, after he previously missed action with a right oblique strain and a left hamstring strain. Mondesi also required surgery on his left shoulder in the 2019-20 offseason, but the slew of lower-half injuries he's dealt with in 2021 are probably the greater concern for his long-term outlook, given how reliant his game is on speed. The 26-year-old is said to be progressing from his latest health-related setback, but the Royals haven't established a timeline for him to begin a rehab assignment, much less return from the 10-day IL.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Red Sox.

Wendle has sat twice in three games against a right-handed starting pitcher, with his lack of usage seemingly signaling that he'll be the odd man out more often than not in the crowded Tampa Bay infield. The downturn in playing time comes even while Wendle performed respectably in July, finishing the month with a .304/.328/.429 slash line in 15 games.

Chang is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Owen Miller will step in at first base for Chang, who started each of the past three games at the position and went 2-for-11 with a triple, a double, two RBI and two runs. Chang's path to regular playing time at first base will likely be blocked soon, as Bobby Bradley (personal) could return from the bereavement list during the upcoming week.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with two home runs and an additional RBI in Saturday's 8-6 loss to San Francisco.

Diaz was caught up in the homer dome at Oracle Park, as the two teams combined for eight long balls. Since being activated off the injured list, Diaz is 8-for-19 with three home runs, eight RBI and six runs scored. He continues to slot in at third base while Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is on a rehab assignment.