MLB Player News

Franco's early exit Saturday against the Reds was due to discomfort in his right hand and wrist, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco has already missed nearly a month due to injury this season, though that was for an unrelated quadriceps issue. The Rays seem concerned that this latest injury could require a trip to the injured list as well, as he's already been ruled out for Sunday's series finale and will visit a doctor Monday.

Franco exited Saturday's game against the Reds for undisclosed reasons after just one inning, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco struck out looking in the top of the first inning and did not take the field for the bottom of the inning. Yu Chang entered the game at second base, pushing Taylor Walls to shortstop. The reason for Franco's absence should emerge following Saturday's game, if not before.

Wendle isn't starting Saturday's game against the Mets, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Wendle started in the last four games and went 3-for-15 with two doubles and an RBI. Jon Berti is starting at second base while Bryan De La Cruz takes over in left field.

Pena (illness) isn't in the lineup Saturday against Oakland, Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena is out of the lineup for a third consecutive game due to the league's health and safety protocols, but it's encouraging that he hasn't been placed on the COVID-19 injured list. Mauricio Dubon is starting at shortstop and batting second.

Witt (hand) went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 4-3 win over the Guardians.

Witt missed a couple of games after he was hit by a pitch on the hand Tuesday versus the Astros. He's hit safely in his last three games, going 4-for-13 (.308) in that span. The rookie should be good to go for an everyday role at shortstop going forward. He's slashing .236/.285/.442 with 12 home runs, 13 steals, 42 RBI, 43 runs scored, 16 doubles and five triples through 78 contests.

Smith isn't starting Saturday's game against the Twins.

Smith went 1-for-4 with a run, an RBI and a strikeout Friday but will be held out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games. Charlie Culberson is starting at the hot corner and batting ninth.

Mateo isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Angels, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mateo started in the last five games and went 2-for-15 with three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. He'll get a breather while Ramon Urias shifts to shortstop with Tyler Nevin starting at third base.

Edman isn't starting Saturday's game against the Phillies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Edman is getting a day off after he went just 1-for-19 with five strikeouts over the last five games. Edmundo Sosa will take over at shortstop and bat eighth.

Swanson went 3-for-5 with an RBI in Friday's win over the Nationals.

All three knocks were singles, something of a disappointment on a night in which Atlanta hitters piled up seven extra-base hits including four homers en route to 12 runs, but Swanson still cranked out his fourth multi-hit performance in the last eight games. The shortstop is batting .389 (14-for-36) during that surge, boosting his slash line on the season to .302/.359/.494 with 14 homers, 14 steals, 50 RBI and 52 runs through 85 contests.

Lindor went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Marlins.

His towering blast off Steven Okert in the eighth inning gave the Mets their final gasp of offense on the night. Lindor is struggling again, batting only .226 (7-for-31) through the first eight games in July, and on the season the shortstop is slashing .240/.318/.417 with 14 homers, nine steals, 49 runs and 58 RBI through 83 contests.