MLB Player News

Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a walk, a run and a stolen base in Saturday's loss to Houston.

The infielder helped generate a run in the first inning by singling, stealing second and coming around to score on a base hit by Jared Walsh. Of Fletcher's 11 steals this season, six have come in his past 12 games. His .305 average is second on the team to Mike Trout (calf), though Trout has played in only 36 games to Fletcher's 114.

Lindor (oblique) is hoping to skip a rehab assignment once he's cleared for game action, Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reports.

The Mets are reportedly open to the idea, though they've yet to fully decide on their plans. Lindor has been out for nearly a month with a right oblique strain, so skipping a rehab assignment would be somewhat unusual, but he's seemingly willing to take the risk with the Mets locked into a very tight playoff race.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals due to a tight lower back, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

It doesn't sound like DeJong is dealing with a serious injury, but it's not yet clear whether or not he'll be able to return Sunday. Edmundo Sosa starts at shortstop in his absence.

DeJong was scratched from the lineup ahead of Saturday's game against the Royals for undisclosed reasons, Zachary Silver of MLB.com reports.

DeJong was not seen on the field for pregame warmups. Edmundo Sosa will take his place at shortstop. The Cardinals have an off day Monday, so it's possible DeJong sits Sunday as well to get three days off to recover from whatever is ailing him.

Story (forearm) is batting third and playing shortstop Saturday against the Giants.

Story was omitted from Friday's lineup after taking a pitch to the forearm Thursday, but his appearance as a pinch hitter Friday suggested he was ready to play again. He's started off the month well, hitting .389 with two home runs, five doubles and six RBI in 11 games since the beginning of August.

Chang went 2-for-3 with a walk, a triple, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Friday's 7-4 win over the Tigers.

Called up from Triple-A earlier in the day, Chang celebrated his return to the majors in style, launching a solo shot off Joe Jimenez in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old utility player got the start at third base in this one, but he's seen action at all four infield spots this season for Cleveland and most of his action during this stint could come at first base with Bobby Bradley (knee) sidelined. On the year, Chang is slashing just .195/.234/.346 through 141 plate appearances with three homers and 18 RBI.

Swanson went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 4-2 win over the Nationals.

Swanson recorded his second consecutive multi-hit performance Friday and gave Atlanta some late-game insurance with his 21st homer of the season. Across 11 games since the start of August, the shortstop has hit .357 with a home run, three doubles, eight runs, five RBI and two stolen bases.

Bogaerts went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-1 win over Baltimore.

The shortstop extended Boston's lead to 6-1 with his fourth-inning blast. Bogaerts has homered in two of the last three games after going nine contests without a long ball. For the season, he's slashing an excellent .304/.370/.514 with 18 homers, 61 RBI, 70 runs scored and five stolen bases through 459 plate appearances.

Crawford isn't starting Friday against Colorado, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Crawford inked a two-year contract extension Friday, but he'll get a day off after going 9-for-20 with a home run, three doubles, five RBI and four runs across the last five games. Thairo Estrada will start at shortstop and bat eighth.

Bichette (shin) is starting at shortstop and batting cleanup Friday against the Mariners.

He has been in and out of the lineup this week due to a pair of left shin contusions, but he is back in action for the first game of the weekend.