MLB Player News

Edman is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Rockies, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Edman was scratched from Saturday's lineup for unspecified reasons but started the past three games and went 4-for-13 with an RBI, two runs and a stolen base. Nolan Gorman will move to second base while Nolan Arenado rests his legs as the designated hitter.

Grissom went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, a steal and an additional run scored in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

Grissom was elevated from Double-A Mississippi before the contest and quickly made his presence felt as the first player in franchise history to homer and steal a base in his debut. The rookie took a first-pitch fastball from Red Sox reliever Darwinzon Hernandez deep over the Green Monster in the seventh inning, giving Atlanta a commanding 5-1 lead. He also singled in the ninth and stole second before ultimately scoring on Dansby Swanson's RBI single. With Orlando Arcia (hamstring) expected to be sidelined for 3-to-4 weeks and Ozzie Albies (foot) still out, Grissom should garner plenty of opportunities during the stretch run.

Smith isn't starting Thursday against the Astros.

Smith's playing time has declined recently, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last four games. Ezequiel Duran will shift to third base while Charlie Culberson enters the lineup in left field.

Witt isn't starting Thursday against the White Sox.

Witt is getting a breather after he hit .200 with four RBI and a run over the last five games. Nicky Lopez will shift to shortstop while Michael Massey starts at second base.

Chang went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Wednesday against the Brewers.

Chang took Brandon Woodruff yard in the fifth inning to record his third homer of the campaign. He's started three of the team's last four games, which has come at the expense of Ji-Man Choi. Though a limited sample, Chang has hit .333 with two homers, six RBI and six runs scored in 16 games since joining the Rays.

Lindor went 2-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-2 win over the Reds.

The shortstop extended his run-scoring streak to 13 games with another big performance. Over that stretch, Lindor is batting .417 (20-for-48) with four homers, 14 RBI and 16 runs. Perhaps the only disappointing thing about his recent surge is that he's only stolen one base. The 28-year-old now sports an .813 OPS on the season -- his highest mark since 2019, if he can maintain it.

Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game at Arizona, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

Cruz started the past nine games and will receive a day off after posting a .235/.278/.500 slash line with three home runs, seven RBI, five runs and a 38.9 percent strikeout rate during that span. Kevin Neman will move to shortstop while Rodolfo Castro starts at the keystone.

Arcia (hamstring), who was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, said he could return in 3-to-4 weeks, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Arcia suffered the hamstring strain during Tuesday's win over the Red Sox, and it appears he'll be sidelined until at least the start of September. Atlanta is already without Ozzie Albies (foot), so prospect Vaughn Grissom was called up and should receive significantly playing time at second base.

Smith isn't starting Wednesday against Houston.

Smith is out of the lineup for the second time in the last three games after he went 0-for-3 with a run, a stolen base and a strikeout during Tuesday's loss to the Astros. Ezequiel Duran is shifting to third base while Brad Miller serves as the designated hitter.

Basabe has hit .288/.361/.374 with zero home runs, five steals and a 15:18 BB:K through 34 games since being promoted to Double-A Montgomery in late June.

He at least managed to hit four homers and post a .463 slugging percentage over 55 games in High-A ahead of the promotion, but the higher level has served only to highlight Basabe's lack of power. Basabe is essentially a high-contact slap hitter -- he doesn't strike out much and offers good-but-not-great speed on the bases. There could be a place for that in the major leagues, but Basabe is profiling like a utility player who offers little in the way of fantasy value.