MLB Player News

Bichette went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs in the win Monday over the Mariners.

Bichette took Chris Flexen deep in his first at-bat Monday, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. He later singled twice, adding another RBI and coming around to score again. The homer was his fourth of the year and first since May 1. The three-hit effort was the shortstop's second in his last five contests, though he had gone 0-for-10 in his last three heading into Monday's victory. Bichette has yet to find his stride this season and his slash line is at .247/.285/.373 over 150 at-bats, all of which represent career worsts. The 24-year-old will look to have more similar outputs in the near future and return to form as the campaign goes on.

Manager Rocco Baldelli stated Monday that Correa (finger) is "very close to returning," Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Correa revealed over the weekend that his bruised right middle finger is starting to feel better, and Baldelli believes the shortstop could return to action over the next few days, per Helfand. He was 6-for-20 with a home run, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored through five games in May prior to suffering the injury.

Rocchio (concussion) returned from the injured list for Double-A Akron on Monday.

Rocchio was out for eight days while recovering from a concussion. He hit a modest .236/.342/.393 in 25 games prior to the injury.

Diaz is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Boston, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Jeremy Pena (knee) remains on the bench for the fourth game in a row, but Diaz will take a seat in favor of the newly-acquired Mauricio Dubon after starting at shortstop in each of the Astros' three contests over the weekend. Diaz, who recently overcame a nagging undisclosed injury of his own, went 4-for13 with a run and an RBI during the Astros' series victory in Washington.

Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't ruled out using Mateo (shoulder) off the bench for Monday's series opener with the Yankees, and the infielder could be ready to rejoin the lineup Tuesday or Wednesday, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.

Earlier Monday, Mateo suggested his absence from the lineup was precautionary after he collided with the Tigers' Spencer Torkelson in Sunday's loss to Detroit, resulting in his removal from the contest. X-rays cleared Mateo of any structural damage, but he was diagnosed with rib-cage and left shoulder discomfort after checking out of the game. According to Connelly, Mateo's shoulder is still a bit sore, but the injury doesn't sound like anything that will result in a trip to the injured list for the 26-year-old, who is tied for the MLB lead with 10 stolen bases.

Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Adames (ankle) could require a trip to the injured list, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports.

Adames underwent X-rays that came back negative Sunday, but he's still feeling sore and will visit with team doctors Monday night. He's out of the lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, but the team could choose to give him additional time to recover. If Adames requires a trip to the injured list, Luis Urias and Mike Brosseau would likely see additional time at shortstop, while Pablo Reyes would be a candidate to join the major-league roster.

Ahmed isn't starting Monday against the Dodgers.

Ahmed started in the last two games and went 2-for-6 with an RBI and two strikeouts. Geraldo Perdomo will take his place at shortstop and bat seventh.

Castillo isn't starting Monday against the Cubs.

Castillo has gone 1-for-5 with an RBI and a strikeout over his last two games, and he'll be out of the lineup for the third time in the last five matchups. Rodolfo Castro will shift to shortstop while Michael Chavis starts at second base.

Pena (knee) remains on the bench for Monday's game against Boston.

Pena has been out since Thursday with a sore right knee. He went through an on-field workout Monday but evidently wasn't cleared to play, though the rookie said he's available off the bench, according to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle. Mauricio Dubon will get the start at shortstop.

Strange-Gordon will start at shortstop and bat eighth in Monday's game against the Marlins, Matt Weyrich of NBC Sports Washington reports.

For the second time in three games, Strange-Gordon will draw the nod at shortstop over Alcides Escobar with a right-handed starter (Sandy Alcantara) on the mound. Though Strange-Gordon bats from the left side while Escobar hits from the right side, it's unclear if manager Dave Martinez will opt for a platoon between the two players, as Escobar drew the start in Sunday's 8-0 loss against Houston right-hander Justin Verlander. Instead, Martinez may be inclined to ride the hotter bat between Escobar and Strange-Gordon, who has gone 5-for-23 with no extra-base hits since being reinstated from the injured list earlier this month.