MLB Player News

Franco went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two RBI and one run Wednesday in the Rays' 8-4 win over the Orioles.

With only six home runs and two stolen bases through his first 189 big-league plate appearances, Franco isn't wowing from a fantasy standpoint, but the touted rookie is at least starting to settle into a comfort zone at the plate following a slow start to his career. Through 14 games in August, Franco is slashing .291/.361/.509. He'll start at shortstop and bat second in Thursday's series finale.

Anderson isn't starting Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Anderson has gone 4-for-13 with a triple, a run, an RBI and a stolen base across his last three games. Danny Mendick will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

The Blue Jays selected Smith's contract from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of Wednesday's game against the Nationals, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.

For the second day in a row, the Blue Jays promoted a utility man from Triple-A to help fill out the big-league bench, as Smith joins Otto Lopez in Toronto. The 25-year-old has seen the bulk of his playing time at shortstop and third base this season, but he'll be an option at second base or the corner-outfield spots if the Blue Jays want to give one of their regulars a day off. Smith flashed an interesting fantasy profile at Triple-A -- he hit .283 with 19 home runs and 16 stolen bases -- so he could be worth monitoring in AL-only formats if he falls into steady playing time at some point.

Lopez was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo prior to Tuesday's game against Washington, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

It was announced earlier Tuesday that Toronto was planning on calling Lopez up ahead of Tuesday's game, and now the 22-year-old has officially been added to the 26-man roster with George Springer (knee) landing on the IL. Lopez should provide the Blue Jays excellent flexibility in a utility role, as he's played all three outfield positions as well as both middle infield spots in the minors.

Wendle is not starting Tuesday against the Orioles, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Wendle played multiple positions while starting in each of the past six games, but he'll predictably rest with lefty John Means set to take the mound for the Orioles. Yandy Diaz (thumb) is set to return to the lineup at third base while Brandon Lowe starts at the keystone Tuesday.

The Blue Jays plan to promote Lopez from Triple-A Buffalo ahead of Tuesday's game against the Nationals, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Toronto likely won't confirm Lopez's call-up or announce a corresponding transaction until shortly before Tuesday's 7:05 p.m. ET opening pitch, but the 22-year-old will presumably fill a utility role while he's up with the Blue Jays. Between stops at Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire this season, Lopez has slashed .324/.398/.451 with three home runs and 12 stolen bases across 359 plate appearances. He's logged time at second base, shortstop and all three outfield spots in 2021, so he could be a candidate to pick up reps while Cavan Biggio (back) is on the injured list and with George Springer (ankle) day-to-day.

Diaz went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and and an additional RBI in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Royals.

Diaz extended a hit streak to eight games when he launched his seventh homer of the season to lead off the fifth inning. He later singled home a run but was cut down at second trying to stretch it into a double. He's hit safely in 16 of 17 games, going 25-for-72 (.347) with four home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI and 10 runs scored during that stretch. That level of production has been key for the Astros as Alex Bregman (quadriceps) is slow to return. The injured third baseman is waiting to start a second rehab appearance and may not be back until next week.

Correa went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Royals.

Correa's 430-foot blast in the sixth inning was his 19th of the year and briefly put the Astros on top 4-3. He's gone deep three times over the last 10 games after snapping a 20-game skid without a homer. The All-Star shortstop improved his season OPS to .838 with 45 extra-base hits this season.

Franco is out of the lineup Monday versus Baltimore, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco started the last 11 games and will head to the bench after posting a .783 OPS during that stretch. Joey Wendle will take over at shortstop in the series opener.

Mondesi is dealing with scar tissue in his right oblique, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mondesi's rehab assignment was shut down due to oblique tightness, and he's apparently dealing with effects from the right oblique issue that he dealt with earlier in the season. The 26-year-old will be able to continue throwing and fielding, and he'll also continue to swing from the right side while backing off his left-handed swings. It's not yet clear when Mondesi will be ready to return to game action.