MLB Player News

Story went 2-for-5 with a solo homer, two RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-6 win over the Dodgers.

Story came alive in the sixth with a solo blast to left field to make it a 4-2 ballgame. The game would end up going to extras and he led off the top of the 10th with an RBI single and later scored on Charlie Blackmon's two-run homer. Story hadn't hit a home run since the beginning of July and now sits at 12 for the year. He's slashing .245/.317/.432 with 32 extra-base hits, 45 RBI, 45 runs scored, 31:83 BB:K and is one of the top base stealers in the league with 17.

Ahmed went 1-for-4 in Friday's 8-3 loss to the Cubs.

Ahmed, who is batting just .225 with a .615 OPS, manned his usual spot at shortstop and could be doing that for a while. Arizona's primary backup at short is Josh Rojas, who is expected to hit the injured list with a fractured left pinky finger. Per Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, manager Torey Lovullo named Andrew Young and Eduardo Escobar as Ahmed's backups, but neither has much recent experience there. Scouts don't see Young as an average defender at second base, let alone shortstop, and Escobar has played just two innings there since joining the Diamondbacks three years ago. In short, it may not matter if Ahmed continues to hit. Since returning from the All-Star break, he's batting .409 with a .980 OPS over seven games.

Baez went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, a double and two runs in Friday's 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks.

Baez has now recorded hits in nine of his last 10 appearances, and he blasted his first homer since July 6 during Friday's win. The 28-year-old has slashed .345/.381/.603 with four home runs, 15 RBI, 10 runs and four stolen bases across his last 15 games, and he could be involved in trade talks ahead of the July 30 deadline.

Owings underwent surgery on his left thumb Friday, Nick Groke of The Athletic reports.

Owings was placed on the injured list with a mallet finger injury on his left thumb Tuesday, and he doesn't have a timetable for his return following Friday's procedure. Joshua Fuentes and Connor Joe could see increased playing time in the infield while the 29-year-old is sidelined.

Berti landed on the 7-day concussion injured list Friday.

Berti was struck in the back of the head by a pitch Thursday and diagnosed with a concussion, so the transaction is an expected one. Deven Marrero's contract was selected in a corresponding move, with the team looking for additional help in the infield.

Arcia will not start Friday's game against Philadelphia.

Arcia has emerged as Atlanta's primary left fielder, though he's hardly hitting like a corner bat, slashing .233/.283/.395 in 12 games for his new team. Abraham Almonte starts in left field in his absence.

Rojas went 0-for-1 with three walks and a stolen base in Thursday's 3-2 loss to San Diego.

Considering the shortstop hadn't drawn a walk since July 5, it was a little surprising to see him display so much patience at the plate. Rojas also added his seventh stolen base of the year Thursday. The 32-year-old has a .270/.333/.409 slash line with five home runs, 27 RBI and 37 runs scored. He also lifted his walk rate to 7.4 percent, but he shouldn't be counted on to draw frequent free passes.

Arcia went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Thursday against the Phillies.

Arcia led off the fourth inning with a home run, his second of the season. He entered the game on a moderate cold stretch, failing to collect any hits in each of his last three starts. Through 12 contests since being recalled by Atlanta on July 4, Arcia is hitting .232 with two home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored.

Swanson went 1-for-4 with a grand slam and a walk Thursday against the Phillies.

Swanson ignited Atlanta's offense by smacking a grand slam in the third inning. It was his 17th home run of the season and third in his last seven starts. Despite the power surge, Swanson is just 3-for-26 since the All-Star break, though it's encouraging he has only struck out five times in that span. Overall, Swanson is hitting .232/.290/.445 with 42 runs scored and 46 RBI across 391 plate appearances on the campaign.

Berti suffered a laceration to the back of his head that required three stitches, and he was also diagnosed with a concussion Thursday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Berti was hit in the back of the head by an errant pitch from Austin Adams in the seventh inning. He exited the game under his own power but will likely be forced to miss further game action. Joe Panik figures to pick up most of the starts at third base in Berti's absence.