MLB Player News

Crawford said Thursday that he's already shown improvement and won't require a cortisone shot for his inflamed left knee, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Crawford landed on the injured list Wednesday but may be sidelined for only the 10-day minimum, given that he seems to be making good progress in his recovery. Casey Schmitt is expected to serve as the Giants' primary shortstop for however long Crawford is on the shelf.

McLain is out of the lineup Thursday against the Giants.

It's a rare day off for the rookie infielder. The Reds are going with Elly De La Cruz at shortstop and Spencer Steer at third base for their matinee versus San Francisco.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI in Wednesday's 5-3 win over Atlanta.

Ahmed doubled home a run in the sixth inning then singled in another in the eighth. Those proved to be key insurance runs when Atlanta scored in the seventh and ninth innings. The emergence of Geraldo Perdomo, who typically starts against righties, has limited Ahmed's opportunities, but the 33-year-old started against righty Charlie Morton on Wednesday. He's slashing .311/.364/.459 against right-handers in 2023.

Abrams went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Abrams has multiple hits in nine of 14 games in July, and he's added nine of his 18 steals on the season in that span. The shortstop has thrived atop the order, going 15-for-37 (.405) from that spot since he moved there July 7. Abrams has lifted his slash line to .254/.302/.414 with eight home runs, 36 RBI, 43 runs scored, 17 doubles and four triples over 87 contests overall.

Cubs manager David Ross said Wednesday that he's optimistic Swanson (heel) will be able to return this weekend, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Swanson began taking batting practice Monday and has increased his level of baseball activity in the days since with no apparent issues. The shortstop has been on the shelf since July 8 because of a bruised left heel.

Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to July 17, with left knee inflammation.

Crawford will be sidelined for at least the next eight days with another leg injury. He's slashed just .207/.285/.333 in 64 games (222 plate appearances) this season when healthy.

Perdomo is absent from the lineup Wednesday at Atlanta.

Nick Ahmed will start at shortstop and bat eighth versus right-hander Charlie Morton and the NL East leaders. This looks to be a routine day of rest for Perdomo, who had two hits and two RBI in the Diamondbacks' 16-13 defeat of Atlanta on Tuesday night.

Marcano will start at shortstop and bat seventh Wednesday against the Guardians.

Marcano had started at shortstop in nine of the Pirates' first 12 games of July, but he was the bench for the first two contests of the series in the wake of prospect Liover Peguero's promotion from Triple-A Indianapolis. Though Peguero looks like he'll get a trial as the Bucs' primary shortstop for the time being, he'll take a seat Wednesday in favor of Marcano after going 0-for-6 with five strikeouts in his first two starts. If neither Peguero nor Marcano is able to provide consistent production at the plate over the next several games, one or both could be headed back to Triple-A once Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) eventually makes his return from the 10-day injured list.

Wendle is not in the lineup Tuesday at St. Louis.

Jon Berti will start at shortstop and bat eighth with left-hander Jordan Montgomery toeing the slab for the host Cardinals. The left-handed-hitting Wendle continues to sit against most southpaws.

Edman (wrist) began a throwing program and fielded grounders Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman has also been cleared to resume taking light swings as he ramps back up following a shutdown period that began just before the All-Star break. It's not yet clear whether he will require a minor-league rehab assignment before he returns from the right wrist inflammation that sent him to the injured list July 7.