MLB Player News

Story went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Thursday against the Brewers.

Story hasn't been hitting well to start the season, and is hitless in six of his past 10 games. However, he did manage to hit his eighth home run of the season Thursday in the second inning off Jhoulys Chacin. Most of his production has come at home or against left-handed pitchers this season, as he has slugged .783 and .571 respectively in those scenarios as opposed to a .474 slugging percentage overall this season.

Crawford (forearm) was able to hit off a tee Wednesday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. "He is progressing nicely," Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said of Crawford's recovery from the Grade 1 right forearm strain.

Since the injury is to Crawford's throwing arm, the Phillies aren't likely to pinpoint a return date for the shortstop until he's able to resume working out in the infield. When Crawford first hit the 10-day disabled list April 29, the general assumption was that he would be sidelined for around two weeks. Based on where Crawford is currently at in the recovery process, it's looking likely that he'll be sidelined at least a little longer than initially hoped.

Rojas went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's 13-4 loss to the Cubs.

The 29-year-old now has a remarkable five homers in 36 games -- not bad for a player who had four career homers in 358 career big-league contests coming into 2018. Rojas' .248/.296/.391 slash line is less exciting, but for the moment he appears to have the Marlins' starting shortstop job locked down.

Swanson (wrist inflammation) has done some throwing but hasn't begun hitting or catching balls yet, David O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

The wrist inflammation is in his left (glove) wrist, which is why he can throw but not catch yet. We knew shortly after he landed on the DL on May 4 that he would need more than the minimum 10 days, and it now sounds like a late-May return would be the best his owners could hope for. Johan Camargo will continue to fill in at shortstop in the meantime.

Ahmed went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run in the Diamondbacks' 8-5 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday in 12 innings.

Ahmed's base hit in the fourth inning ended an 0-for-19 skid at the plate dating back to May 1. The shortstop's season batting average has dropped from .261 to .227 during that span, and while he's unlikely to become much of an asset in that area even with some better luck on balls in play, Ahmed at least remains playable in NL-only and very deep mixed leagues thanks to his power spike. He's on pace for his first double-digit homer campaign, with a career-high 41.5 percent flyball rate supporting the notion that Ahmed has adjusted his approach to sell out for more power.

Owings went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in the Diamondbacks' 8-5 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday in 12 innings.

Owings hit one of three long balls off Dodgers starter Rich Hill to stake the Diamondbacks to an early lead before Los Angeles chipped away at the deficit. Though he served as the No. 2 hitter Tuesday with a southpaw on the mound, Owings will likely be excluded from the lineup more frequently against right-handed pitching with outfielder Steven Souza (pectoral) returning from the disabled list last week and third baseman Jake Lamb (shoulder) set to do the same later this month.

Baez (groin) will bat third and play second base against the Marlins on Wednesday.

Baez was forced to leave Monday's game due to right groin tightness and was held out of Tuesday's starting lineup, though he did enter the game as a pinch hitter. The infielder shouldn't face any restrictions moving forward. Over 32 games this season, he's hitting .290/.333/.653 with 10 home runs, 32 RBI and three stolen bases.

Story went 2-for-3 with a walk, double, triple and two RBI in Tuesday's win over the Angels.

Story entered the game in the midst of a 3-for-27 stretch, but he broke out of it with his first multiple extra-base hit game of the season. The .233 average and 31.1 strikeout percentage continue to leave something to be desired, but his seven home runs and 23 RBI continue to lead all NL shortstops.

Baez (groin) could return to the lineup Wednesday against the Marlins, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

Baez is available to pinch hit Tuesday, so it doesn't look like he's dealing with a serious injury. If his condition keeps improving, it's not out of the question for him to be back in action Wednesday for the Cubs' series finale versus Miami. Tommy La Stella is starting at second base Tuesday night while Baez rests.

Baez (groin) is out of the lineup Tuesday against the Marlins.

Baez continues to nurse groin tightness that forced his removal from Monday's game, so he'll open Tuesday's contest on the bench. Fortunately, the issue doesn't appear to be anything that will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time, as he relayed to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com that he's available to pinch hit if needed. Tommy La Stella will start at the keystone and hit sixth in his stead.