MLB Player News
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Clubs fourth homer
Pena went 3-for-5 with a solo home run and an additional run scored in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Tigers.
It was the fourth straight game batting in the leadoff spot for Pena, and he's excelled in the role by going 8-for-17 with two doubles, a homer, four RBI and three runs. The shortstop has hit safely in 19 of his past 20 games and seems likely to stick atop the lineup for the near future given his current form.
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Jacob Amaya SS | CHW
White Sox's Jacob Amaya: Losing out on playing time
Amaya is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Brewers.
Amaya will take a seat for the fourth time in six games and may have moved into a part-time role. Though he's the best defensive shortstop on the White Sox roster, Amaya has been an easy out at the plate, slashing .078/.107/.098 over 57 plate appearances on the season.
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Jose Caballero 2B | NYY
Rays' Jose Caballero: Getting more time at shortstop
Caballero will start in right field and bat eighth in Wednesday's game against the Royals, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.
Though he'll be filling in for the left-handed-hitting Kameron Misner in the outfield while the Royals send a southpaw (Noah Cameron) to the bump, Caballero could up seeing steadier playing time at shortstop against right-handers moving forward. Taylor Walls will man shortstop Wednesday, but Caballero had started at the position in four of the previous six contests.
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Brayan Rocchio SS | CLE
Guardians' Brayan Rocchio: Could lose everyday role
Rocchio is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Twins.
After going 0-for-4 in Monday's series opener to bring his average down to .205 on the season, Rocchio finds himself on the bench against a right-handed starting pitcher for the second day in a row. According to Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, manager Stephen Vogt didn't explicitly say that Rocchio has been removed from his everyday role at shortstop, though the skipper noted that Gabriel Arias and Daniel Schneemann are playing better at the moment. With that in mind, Arias and Schneemann seem likely to operate as the Guardians' primary double-play tandem for the time being, though Rocchio could spell the left-handed-hitting Schneemann when the Guardians face left-handed pitching.
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J.P. Crawford SS | SEA
Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Elevated to leadoff spot
Crawford is starting at shortstop and batting leadoff in Wednesday's game against the Angels.
Crawford batted ninth in each of his first 26 starts this season before being moved up to the sixth spot for the last two games. He'll be tasked with batting leadoff Wednesday after slashing .370/.469/.519 across his previous 16 contests.
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Bo Bichette SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Swipes bag in loss
Bichette went 2-for-4 with a double, a steal and a run scored in Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox.
Bichette knocked a double in the third and came around to score on a home run by Vladimir Guerrero. It was Bichette's first extra-base hit since he had two doubles April 16. Bichette also swiped his third bag of the year, all of which have come since April 18. He leads the team with 36 hits and has nine extra-base hits but remains homerless this year after only totaling four in 81 games last season.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Joins offensive party
Smith went 3-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and a run scored in Tuesday's 15-2 win over the Athletics.
Smith kicked off the fun of Texas' eight-run sixth inning, leading off with a single. He hit second in the order after serving as a leadoff hitter recently. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy has tinkered with the lineup, hoping to unlock a struggling offense, and it worked Tuesday. Smith, who is currently filling in for the injured Corey Seager (hamstring) at shortstop, is batting .319/.402/.458 with 10 walks, two home runs, six RBI, four steals and 13 runs scored through 24 games.
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Chase Meidroth SS | CHW
White Sox's Chase Meidroth: Aiming for weekend return
Meidroth (thumb) could return during the White Sox's upcoming weekend series against the Astros, MLB.com reports.
Meidroth landed on the injured list April 21 due to right thumb inflammation. There have been very few updates about his recovery, though everything appears in line for him to return in short order. It's also unclear if he'll engage in a short rehab assignment prior to activation.