MLB Player News

Downs isn't starting Wednesday against the Guardians, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Downs went 0-for-11 with eight strikeouts over three games following the All-Star break and will retreat to the bench for a third consecutive matchup. Yolmer Sanchez is starting at the keystone and batting ninth.

Rojas isn't in the lineup Wednesday against Cincinnati, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Rojas went 5-for-16 with a double, two RBI, a run and three strikeouts over his last four games but is on the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Joey Wendle is shifting to shortstop while Willians Astudillo starts at second base.

Crawford, who went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Rangers on Tuesday, has now hit safely in each of the last 18 games during which he's registered a plate appearance.

The impressive streak dates back to June 28 and has seen Crawford produce a .271/.316/.343 slash line with seven RBI, four walks and 12 runs. Crawford has also struck out at just a 6.6 percent rate during that span, which has pushed his season-long figure down to a career-low 13.4 percent.

Smith will sit Wednesday versus the Mariners.

Smith will take a seat after he went 2-for-6 over the first two contests of the series. Ezequiel Duran will start at third base and bat seventh against Seattle.

Martinez (shoulder) was activated from the 7-day injured list at High-A Lake County on Wednesday.

Martinez missed about two weeks of action with a left shoulder strain. He was surging prior to the injury, slashing .348/.412/.652 in his last 11 games. Overall, he's maintained a strong .276/.393/.476 slash line with eight home runs, 22 RBI, 33 runs scored and eight stolen bases in 61 contests, so it's possible the infield prospect eventually gets a look at Double-A Akron before the end of the year.

Pena will sit Wednesday against the Athletics.

Pena will sit after he went 3-for-8 with a solo home run, a double and three runs scored over the first two games of the series. The 24-year-old currently owns a eight-game hit streak, batting .303 with three homers, four RBI and six runs over that stretch. Mauricio Dubon will take over at shortstop and bat seventh in the series finale.

Perdomo will sit out Wednesday's series finale versus the Giants.

Perdomo will take a seat after he went 1-for-6 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored over the first two games of the series. Sergio Alcantara will start at shortstop and bat eighth against San Francisco.

Allen isn't starting Wednesday against the Astros.

Allen went 3-for-16 with a run, an RBI and three strikeouts over his first six games following the All-Star break, but he'll head to the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Tony Kemp is shifting to second base while Chad Pinder serves as the designated hitter.

Velazquez isn't in the lineup Wednesday against the Royals, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Velazquez has gone 2-for-9 with an RBI, a walk and four strikeouts over four games since the All-Star break, and he'll be out of the lineup for a second consecutive matchup. Luis Rengifo is shifting to shortstop while Michael Stefanic starts at second base.

Williams went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Reds.

The Marlins ran wild against Cincinnati rookie catcher Michael Papierski, going 3-for-3 on steal attempts, and Williams' pilfer in the fifth inning wound up leading to the winning run after Joey Wendle deposited a two-run single into right field. Williams has started two straight games at third base with Brian Anderson (shoulder) back on the injured list and Jon Berti (groin) still sidelined, and he could offer some short-term fantasy value via his speed -- he's stolen six bags in 74 plate appearances for Miami this season, albeit while hitting a less impressive .265 with one homer, six RBI and 12 runs.