MLB Player News
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Bo Bichette SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Considered day-to-day
Manager John Schneider said after Monday's 5-4 win over the Yankees that Bichette (knee) is day-to-day and isn't expected to undergo any additional testing, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Bichette stepped on a baseball in pregame warmups and was scratched from the lineup after initially being penciled in as the Blue Jays' leadoff hitter for Monday's contest. Ernie Clement moved over to shortstop and hit leadoff in his absence. Bichette should have a chance to play Tuesday.
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Jorge Mateo SS | BAL
Orioles' Jorge Mateo: Suffers setback
Mateo (elbow) was pulled from a rehab game Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk due to a hamstring issue, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Mateo has been working his way back from left elbow inflammation and was participating in his fourth game of a rehab assignment before sustaining the setback. He's expected to undergo further evaluation in the coming days, so be on the lookout for an update on the severity of the injury.
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Josh H. Smith SS | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Sitting against southpaw
Smith is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles.
After starting in each of the last five games while the Rangers faced off against right-handers, the left-handed-hitting Smith will hit the bench Monday while the Orioles send lefty Trevor Rogers to the hill. Though he's arguably been the Rangers' most valuable hitter overall this season with a .339 wOBA over 284 plate appearances, Smith has been far more productive against righties (133 wRC+) than lefties (71 wRC+).
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Bo Bichette SS | TOR
Blue Jays' Bo Bichette: Scratched Monday with sore knee
Bichette was scratched from Monday's lineup against the Yankees due to right knee discomfort, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Bichette exited the field during the middle of his batting practice round Monday when his knee started barking. The Blue Jays should have clarity on his status after the game. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop to cover for Bichette.
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Zachary Neto SS | LAA
Angels' Zach Neto: Returns to field in loss Sunday
Neto (shoulder) went 0-for-2 and was caught trying to steal a base in Sunday's extra-innings loss to Washington. He entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the game at shortstop.
Neto hasn't started any of the Angels' past four games due to a jammed right shoulder. However, he entered as a pinch hitter during all three games of the weekend set against the Nationals, going 0-for-4 during that span. More promisingly, Neto remained in the contest to play shortstop Sunday after pinch hitting for Kevin Newman in the seventh frame and made one uneventful putout on defense. On Neto's attempted steal of second base in the ninth, he slid into the bag feet-first, something he's practiced this week after jamming his shoulder on a theft attempt Tuesday. All signs point toward Neto being back in the starting lineup shortly -- possibly for the Angels' next game, which takes place Tuesday in Atlanta.
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Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Lands on IL with fractured rib
The Astros placed Pena on the 10-day injured list Monday due to a small rib fracture on his left side.
Pena suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch in Friday's 7-4 win over the Cubs. Initial X-rays came back negative, but additional imaging and a CT scan revealed that a fracture. The Astros haven't provided a timeline for Pena's return, but he'll almost certainly be on the shelf for longer than the minimum 10 days. Mauricio Dubon is likely to serve as the Astros' primary shortstop while Pena is sidelined.
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C.J. Abrams SS | WAS
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Drives in three in win
Abrams went 2-for-6 with a double, a triple and three RBI in Sunday's extra-innings win over the Angels.
The shortstop produced the game's final offense with a two-run triple in the 11th inning. Abrams has been on a heater to close out June, racking up nine multi-hit performances in the last 16 games while slashing .357/.430/.571 with four doubles, a triple, three homers, six steals, nine RBI and 15 runs.
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Brayan Rocchio SS | CLE
Guardians' Brayan Rocchio: On standby if needed
Rocchio could return to the majors if Gabriel Arias' ankle injury forces him to miss extended time, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.
Arias suffered an ankle injury and was removed from Sunday's game against the Cardinals. The injury occurred early enough in the Guardians' game to impact the lineup for Triple-A Columbus, which did not have Rocchio in its starting nine. After he was demoted to the minors with a .165 average and .433 OPS through 35 games with Cleveland, Rocchio is batting .252 with an .837 OPS, seven home runs, 30 RBI, seven steals and 28 runs across 41 games with the Clippers.
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Gabriel Arias SS | CLE
Guardians' Gabriel Arias: MRI on tap
Arias (ankle) will undergo an MRI on Monday, MLB.com reports.
Arias was removed from Sunday's 7-0 loss to the Cardinals in the third inning after attempting to make a sliding stop on a groundball in the hole. He was carted off the field with a splint on his left leg and was later diagnosed with a sprained ankle. The MRI should provide clarity on the extent of the injury, but if Arias is forced to miss time, Daniel Schneemann could step in as the Guardians' primary option at shortstop.
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Elly De La Cruz SS | CIN
Reds' Elly De La Cruz: Triggers late rally in win
De La Cruz went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Padres.
De La Cruz led off the bottom of the ninth inning with an epic 10-pitch at-bat that eventually became a single. He scored the first of two runs off San Diego closer Robert Suarez. A one-out walk followed by three consecutive singles completed the Reds' comeback and walk-off victory. De La Cruz has hit safely in eight of the last nine games, going 15-for-37 (.405) with five extra-base hits, seven RBI, one steal and eight runs scored.