MLB Player News

Leonard has a .264/.366/.460 line with seven homers, one steal and a 20:36 BB:K over 47 games for High-A Great Lakes this season.

He slugged 22 homers and stole nine bags in the minors last year, but Leonard's power and speed production have both fallen off noticeably so far this season. Even so, the 21-year-old has been solid at the plate while seeing time at three infield positions (second, third and short) as well as center field. He seems to have a classic utility profile, though there's still room for skill growth here.

Velazquez is not in Friday's lineup against the Phillies, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

He is hitting .200 with one home run and two steals over his last 60 at-bats. Manager Joe Maddon recently called Velazquez "the best shortstop in the American League," according to Greg Joyce of the New York Post. It's that strong defense that has earned Velazquez this much playing time this season. Tyler Wade will start at shortstop and hit ninth.

Owings was placed on the bereavement list Friday.

Since players are required to spend between three and seven days on the bereavement list, the 30-year-old will be unavailable for the Orioles' weekend series against the Guardians. Tyler Nevin should see a slight uptick in playing time while Owings is away from the team.

Crawford (illness) is in the lineup Friday against the Marlins, Evan Webeck of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Crawford was removed from Thursday's lineup due to a non-COVID illness, but he'll start at shortstop and bat fifth Friday. Over his last six games, the 35-year-old has gone 3-for-19 with a run, two walks and a strikeout.

Camargo isn't starting Friday against the Angels.

Camargo started in the last five games and went 2-for-17 with a run, three walks and four strikeouts. Nick Maton will take over at second base while Bryson Stott starts at shortstop Friday.

Swanson went 2-for-5 with a double, a walk, a stolen base, a run and two RBI in a 13-6 victory versus Colorado on Thursday.

Both of Swanson's hits in the contest were productive, as he drove in a run with a single in the second inning and knocked an RBI double in the sixth. The shortstop also swiped his ninth bag in the contest, giving him as many thefts through 52 games this season as he had in 160 contests last year. Swanson seems to be a cinch to surpass his previous career-best mark of 10 thefts in a campaign, and he's slashing .270/.337/.432 with six homers, 26 RBI and 29 runs on the season.

Strange-Gordon was placed on the paternity list Friday, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reports.

Strange-Gordon welcomed the birth of his son Friday morning and will now be away from the team for a few days. Luis Garcia will continue to handle duties at shortstop while Lane Thomas could also see an uptick in usage.

Cruz went 0-for-3 with a walk for Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday.

Cruz returned to the lineup after suffering a minor ankle injury Sunday. He was seemingly at full strength as he also handled his normal defensive duties at shortstop. Cruz has showcased his significant power potential of late by slugging .500 across 90 at-bats in May, but his timeline to return to Pittsburgh remains unclear.

Lindor (finger) is not in Thursday's lineup against the Dodgers but is hoping to return Friday, Tim Britton of The Athletic reports.

Lindor shut his hotel door on his right middle finger and has significant swelling. Even so, it sounds as if he will avoid a stint on the injured list. Luis Guillorme will shift over to shortstop and hit third in Lindor's absence, while J.D. Davis enters the lineup as the designated hitter and will hit eighth.

Lindor shut a hotel door on his finger and will likely not be in the lineup Thursday against the Dodgers, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports.

The freak injury came at a poor time for Lindor, as he has hit .375 with 20 RBI and 11 runs scored across his last 10 games. There's no word on the severity of the issue, but Luis Guillorme will presumably start at shortstop in Lindor's absence.