MLB Player News

Witt (ankle) is expected to return to the lineup at Double-A Northwest Arkansas on Tuesday, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com reports.

Witt tweaked his ankle in Sunday's game and was removed from the contest, but his early exit was considered precautionary due to a cramp. The 21-year-old said Monday that he's doing fine, and it doesn't appear as though his injury will force him to miss additional time. The shortstop has slashed .345/.406/.612 with six home runs, three triples, seven doubles, 27 RBI, 22 runs and seven RBI across 29 games since June 1.

Franco went 2-for-4 with a double and a solo home run in a win over the Blue Jays on Sunday.

The rookie phenom clocked a 383-foot shot to right center in the sixth inning to knot the score at 1-1. Franco is seemingly hitting his stride the more reps he gets against big-league arms, as he's now sporting a six-game hitting streak during which he's hitting .333 (8-for-24) while striking out at an impressively modest 12.0 percent clip.

Fletcher went went 1-for-4 with a double and a run in Sunday's 6-5 victory over the Orioles.

Fletcher wasted little time ensuring that his hitting streak -- the longest in the American League this season -- would go on another day, belting a double to left field to lead off the Angels' half of the first inning. He subsequently came around to score the game's first run on Jared Walsh's double. Over the streak, Fletcher is slashing .380/.405/.479 with seven doubles, eight RBI, 14 runs and a stolen base.

Berti isn't starting Monday's game against the Dodgers, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Berti had started in each of the last three games, and he went 1-for-13 with a run and six strikeouts during that time. Joe Panik will start at the hot corner and bat eighth.

Wendle is not starting Monday's game against Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Another matchup versus a lefty, another day on the bench for Wendle. The utility player may enter the game at some point though, as Cleveland starter Logan Allen doesn't figure to pitch too deep into the game before turning things over to a righty-heavy bullpen. Yandy Diaz starts at third base Monday, with Ji-Man Choi playing first base.

Edman went 1-for-4 with a steal in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies.

Edman notched a base hit in the sixth and ended up stealing his 16th base of the year. The 26-year-old is tied for third in baseball in steals and is currently sporting a six-game hitting streak. For the year he's slashing .264/.308/.375 with four homers, 23 RBI, 44 runs and a 19:43 BB:K.

Story went 1-for-3 with a solo homer and two RBI in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Cardinals.

Story launched a 448-foot solo home run to center field in the first inning and later drove in another run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth to knot the game at two apiece. He's hit homers in back-to-back games and has five RBI over that span. The 28-year-old is slashing .256/.327/.455 with 11 homers, 41 RBI, 40 runs scored, 15 steals and a 27:65 BB:K over 300 plate appearances.

Marte, who snapped an 11-game hitting streak with Low-A Modesto on Sunday, is hitting .286 with an .882 OPS across 49 games this season.

One of three super-prospects for the Mariners, Marte has 10 homers and seven steals with a 29:49 BB:K -- showing the sort of power, speed and patience that makes for star potential. He'll likely step up to High-A at some point this season, but we won't likely see him in the big leagues until 2023.

Witt exited Sunday's game at Double-A Northwest Arkansas with a right ankle injury.

Witt suffered the injury while fielding a grounder in the third inning, and he was immediately removed from the game as a result. The 21-year-old had recorded five RBI across his three appearances leading up to Sunday's contest, but he went 0-for-2 prior to his exit. He'll have a chance to rest during the Double-A club's scheduled off day Monday, but it's not yet clear whether he'll be able to return to action Tuesday.

Smith is slashing .328/.455/.655 with eight home runs, three triples, 22 RBI and 15 stolen bases in 32 games between Low-A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley.

Smith, the Yankees' second-round pick in the 2019 first-year player draft, played in 33 games for short-season Staten Island in 2019, batting .324 over 111 at-bats. After having his development stalled by the canceled 2020 minor-league campaign, the infielder has advanced through two levels of A-ball with ease this year despite missing much of May with a hand injury. He's one month away from turning 24, so a move to Double-A may not be far away.