MLB Player News

Baez went 2-for-5 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's 8-2 win over the Tigers.

The Cubs entered the top of the ninth inning up by only two runs, but Baez broke the game open with his 26th home run of the season, a three-run shot off Victor Alcantara that made it 7-2. Baez has already set new career highs in home runs and RBI (92), as the 25-year-old has played like a legitimate MVP candidate this season.

Mondesi is not in the lineup versus the Rays on Wednesday, Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City reports.

Mondesi will take a seat after going 0-for-4 during Tuesday's affair. That marked the fourth time in his past five starts that Mondesi failed to collect a hit. Alcides Escobar will draw a start at shortstop in his stead.

Wendle is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Royals, Steve Carney of Sports Radio 620 WDAE reports.

Wendle will give way to Brandon Lowe at the keystone following a string of 11 consecutive starts. The 28-year-old is enjoying a nice month at the plate so far, hitting .317/.353/.540 with two homers and 14 RBI through 17 games.

Rojas (ankle) is starting at shortstop and hitting seventh Wednesday against the Yankees, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Rojas has finally been cleared to rejoin the starting lineup for the first time since injuring his ankle Aug. 13. He was able to make three pinch-hit appearances over that six-game stretch, going 1-for-3 with one RBI.

Diaz is not in the lineup against the Orioles on Wednesday, Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Diaz will retreat to the bench for a standard day off following 18 straight starts. During that span, he's hit .270/.313/.508 with four home runs, seven RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Richard Urena will start at shortstop in his stead.

Fletcher went 3-for-5 with a triple, two RBI, a run scored and a strikeout in Tuesday's loss to the Diamondbacks.

Fletcher singled home a run in the third inning and came around to score in the frame, then later provided a game-tying triple with two outs in the seventh. The 24-year-old is riding a seven-game hitting streak -- with multi-hit efforts in five of those -- to bring his slash line to .278/.321/.381.

Swanson was 2-for-4 with two two-run home runs in Tuesday's 6-1 win at Pittsburgh.

The two-homer effort was Swanson's first of the season and brings his season total to 12. The 24-year-old has a .245/.301/.410 slash line for the season with 52 RBI and five stolen bases.

Vincej was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Vincej had his contract purchased in late July but only remained in the majors a couple days while Kyle Seager was on the paternity list. Ross Detwiler was added to the 40-man roster in a corresponding move.

Crawford will be on the bench Tuesday against the Mets, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Crawford has just two hits in his last six games. Alen Hanson will start at shortstop in his place Tuesday, with Hunter Pence starting in Hanson's typical spot in left field.

Rojas (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup Tuesday against the Yankees, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports.

Rojas bruised his ankle back on Aug. 13 and hasn't started since, but he's been able to come off the bench on three occasions. It's unclear if he remains injured or if he's simply been removed from the lineup in favor of JT Riddle, who has now started eight straight games at shortstop.