MLB Player News

Franco, who was promoted to High-A Charlotte last Sunday, was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game on Friday, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The elite prospect was one of three members of the Rays organization nominated to participate in the July 7 game, as both Brendan McKay, who's set for his first major-league start Saturday, and Ronaldo Hernandez also received nods. The 18-year-old largely earned the honor by slashing .318/.390/.506 with six home runs and 29 RBI for Low-A Bowling Green over 62 games earlier in the season, but it's worth noting he's now also gone 9-for-15 with a double, two home runs and five RBI over his first four games with the Stone Crabs.

Diaz (hamstring) took batting practice on the field Friday, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

He may travel with the team to Colorado as he continues his rehab, but could also be sent to the team's spring training facility. It is unclear if he will need a rehab assignment before coming off the injured list.

Anderson (ankle) is expected to be sidelined about 4-to-6 weeks with a right high-ankle sprain, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

The severity of the high-ankle sprain wasn't previously known, and now it looks as through Anderson is likely to miss the entirety of July. It's tough news for the 26-year-old, who's enjoying a career year with a .317/.342/.491 slash line and 11 homers in 70 games. Leury Garcia is set to make his second straight start at shortstop Friday, but he's unlikely to be the White Sox's lone answer at the position in Anderson's absence.

Mondesi (groin) will begin a rehab assigment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Saturday, Lynn Worthy of The Kansas City Star reports.

Mondesi will be eased back into game action, as he is expected to serve as the designated hitter Saturday. If all goes well in that contest, there's a good chance he is back in the field a day or two later. Manager Ned Yost said when Mondesi landed on the injured list that he did not expect him to be sidelined for an extended period, and with Mondesi already set to resume playing, it's looking that will indeed be the case.

Adrianza (abdomen) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Unspecified abdominal issues put Adrianza on the IL, but he's received clearance to return without a minor-league rehab assignment. Adrianza has limited experience in the outfield, but he has played there a bit this season, so in addition to spot duty in the infield, the 29-year-old could see some time in the corners with several Twins outfielders on the IL.

Chang was called up from Triple-A Columbus on Friday and will start at third base against the Orioles.

Chang makes his way to the majors for his debut while Jose Ramirez moves to the paternity list. Ramirez is likely to be gone for all three games of the series, so Chang could see a good chunk of playing time this weekend. The 23-year-old has struggled at Columbus this season with a .205/.259/.359 slash line in 21 games after missing time with a finger sprain.

Anderson (ankle) was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 26.

Anderson was diagnosed with a right high-ankle sprain after exiting Tuesday's game and never seemed likely to avoid the IL. The 26-year-old underwent an MRI on Wednesday but the results have yet to be disclosed. Anderson will be eligible to be activated July 6, but it seems more likely he won't make his return until after the All-Star break.

Fletcher is not in the lineup Thursday against the Athletics.

Fletcher will retreat to the bench after starting the past 12 games and slashing .234/.302/.298 with one home run and a 5:6 BB:K during that stretch. In his place, Luis Rengifo is starting at the keystone and hitting eighth.

Crawford went 3-for-5 with a pair of run-scoring doubles, an RBI triple and a run in a win over the Brewers on Wednesday.

The shortstop's blistering-hot bat went up another few degrees in the win, with Crawford having a hand in all four of the team's runs. Crawford opened the scoring with his first two-bagger in the first inning and subsequently came home on an Omar Narvaez single before eventually also plating Seattle's third and fourth runs of the contest. The latter came on a game-winning, ninth-inning double, giving Crawford an impressive total of nine RBI over the last three games.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Twins, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The lefty-hitting Wendle's absence from the starting nine doesn't come as a surprise with southpaw Martin Perez on the bump for Minnesota, but the 29-year-old looks on track to find himself on the bench more frequently versus right-handers, too. The Rays welcomed Yandy Diaz (hamstring) back from the 10-day injured list Thursday, and it's expected that he'll be a fixture at third base on a full-time basis. Wendle is hitting just .175 over 12 games since returning from his own IL stint two weeks ago, which doesn't help his case for seeing steady action now that the Rays are at relatively close to full strength in the infield.