MLB Player News

Triple-A Worcester placed Downs on its 7-day injured list Monday with thumb inflammation, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

The injury is viewed as a minor one and isn't expected to keep Downs on the shelf for much longer than the minimum amount of time, but it's a frustrating development nonetheless in what's been a disappointing campaign for the 23-year-old. Back in spring training, Downs appeared likely to receive his first big-league call-up at some point in 2021, but that's no longer in the forecast while he's struggled to the tune of a .179/.263/.314 slash line over 336 plate appearances at Worcester. In addition to striking the ball with little authority (28.6 percent hard-hit rate), Downs has seen his strikeout rate balloon to 32.4 percent at Triple-A, a huge jump from the 20 percent rate he posted between stops at High-A and Double-A in 2019.

Wendle went 3-for 4 with an RBI single, a solo home run, a grand slam and a walk in a win over the Orioles on Sunday.

Wendle nearly single-handedly dismantled the Orioles in a memorable day at the plate, and his seventh-inning grand slam gave the Rays some breathing room after Baltimore had closed to within two runs in the home half of the sixth. Wendle's pair of homers pushed him to a new career high of nine for the season, and he's now carrying a five-game hitting streak during which he owns a .500 average and seven total RBI.

Mateo went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run Sunday in the Orioles' 12-8 loss to the Rays.

Mateo was idle for a few days last week due to left hip and lower-back discomfort, but he returned with a bang for the final two games of the series with Tampa Bay, going 3-for-9 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base between the contests. Since being claimed off waivers from San Diego on Aug. 5, Mateo has emerged as a cornerstone piece in the Baltimore infield. In 19 games with his new team, Mateo is slashing .353/.380/.515 with eight extra-base hits, four steals, five runs and five RBI.

Smith went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, a walk and a hit by pitch in Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit.

The 25-year-old went yard in the fourth inning to give Toronto a 2-0 lead. Smith also committed an error in the sixth that ultimately allowed Detroit to get on the board, but starter Jose Berrios was able to limit the damage there. Smith has just three hits in 19 at-bats this season in his first taste of major-league action. He should see regular playing time at third base with Cavan Biggio (elbow) and Santiago Espinal (hip) both on the injured list.

Bichette went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 2-1 win over Detroit.

While August hasn't been kind to the shortstop, he's now hit safely in four straight games, his longest streak since a six-game stretch in late June and early July. Bichette has maintained a .286/.336/.457 slash line with 21 home runs, 80 RBI, 95 runs scored and 20 stolen bases through 551 plate appearances.

Velazquez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Athletics.

Tyler Wade will get the nod at shortstop in the series finale, ending a streak of nine consecutive starts for Velazquez. Though Velazquez performed well during that stretch -- he hit .290 with five extra-base hits and three stolen bases -- and clearly appears to be ahead of Wade on the depth chart, both players are expected to see their playing time dwindle in the near future. Gleyber Torres (thumb) began a rehab assignment at Double-A Somerset on Sunday and is expected to return from the injured list next weekend, at which point Velazquez will shift into a utility role.

Correa is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

He'll be getting a planned rest day after starting at shortstop in each of Houston's last 20 games while slashing .293/.386/.480 over that stretch. Aledmys Diaz will step in at shortstop for Correa.

Smith will start at third base and bat eighth Sunday against the Tigers.

After making starts at three different positions -- left field, third base and first base -- over Toronto's last three contests, Smith could find a more permanent home at the hot corner in the short term. With Santiago Espinal (hip) joining Cavan Biggio (elbow) on the injured list Sunday, Smith's only competition for reps at third base is likely utility man Breyvic Valera, whose playing time has fallen by the wayside of late.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa said Anderson is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs due to recurring leg soreness, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The same injury cropped up last weekend and kept Anderson on the bench for four straight games, but he returned to the lineup Wednesday and had started at shortstop in each of the White Sox's last four contests while going 5-for-17 with two doubles, four runs and two RBI. While it's less than ideal that Anderson isn't completely over the issue, La Russa suggested that the 28-year-old will likely be good to go after a day out of the lineup Sunday combined with the team's off day Monday. Fantasy managers looking to deploy Anderson during the White Sox's five-game week will want to ensure he's included in the starting nine Tuesday against the Pirates.

Bichette went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 3-2 extra-inning win over the Tigers.

The shortstop got busy on the basepaths quickly, swiping his 20th bag of the season in the first inning, but Bichette was then caught stealing for the first time all year when he tried to take third as well. The 23-year-old is having a sluggish August overall, slashing .227/.262/.289 through 24 games with only one homer, and his fade is part of the reason the Jays find themselves slipping out of playoff contention.