MLB Player News

Duran started at first base and went 0-for-4 in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Astros.

Duran struck out four times and has endured a tough stretch over the last three weeks, going 2-for-24 (.083) across 13 games (29.6 percent strikeout rate). He might normally start at third base against a lefty, but Duran was needed to cover first base for Jake Burger (quadriceps). Duran is batting .130 with a .395 OPS in 38 games for the Rangers.

Smith started at third base and went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Saturday's 5-4 loss to Houston.

Smith typically doesn't start against left-handers -- he has just 66 at-bats against them this season -- but Ezequiel Duran was needed to cover first base for Jake Burger (quadriceps). Smith was dropped from his usual leadoff spot to eighth in a rare start against a southpaw, against whom he has a .212/.274/.242 slash line in 2025. The steal was Smith's ninth of the season and first in 29 contests.

Perdomo batted ninth and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's 10-5 loss to the Angels.

For the last month, Perdomo made a home in the upper third of the batting order, but he was back down hitting ninth Saturday, which is where he started the season. It's unclear if this will be a permanent shift, but the shortstop has been productive no matter where he's been slotted.

Edwards went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, two RBI and two runs scored in Saturday's 6-0 win over the Orioles.

Edwards connected on his first home run of the 2025 season with a two-run blast off Scott Blewett in the ninth inning. The switch hitter tallied two extra-base hits Saturday -- just the third time he's done so all season -- lifting his season numbers to .289/.354/.346 with 15 extra-base hits, 16 stolen bases, 24 RBI and a clean .700 OPS across 78 games.

Ritter went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run Saturday against the Reds.

Ritter continues to get regular run with Ezequiel Tovar (oblique) sidelined, but he's struggled to find a rhythm at the plate. Ritter did manage his first career home run with a two-run blast in the third inning Saturday, which is his first extra-base hit since June 27. Tovar has begun a rehab assignment, so Ritter's regular playing time is likely to decrease significantly coming out of the All-Star break.

Crawford went 2-for-6 with a double and four RBI during Saturday's 15-7 win over the Tigers.

Crawford has been red-hot at the plate as the first half comes to a close, knocking in four runs in a game for the third time this season. He is also the owner of a 13-game hit streak, which he extended Saturday with a third-inning single and followed up with a bases-clearing double in the ninth. The 30-year-old's hot streak has contributed to a quality slash line of .287/.388/.387 with one game to go before the All-Star break.

Abrams went 1-for-4 with one RBI and a stolen base in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Brewers.

Abrams reached the 20-steal mark for the third year in a row with his theft in the third inning. He's been more efficient on the basepaths this year, getting caught just twice so far after going 31-for-43 on steals attempts in 2024. The shortstop continues to enjoy a breakout campaign atop the Nationals' lineup, with a .287/.353/.483 slash line, 12 home runs, 33 RBI, 61 runs scored, 20 doubles and four triples across 82 contests. He's hit safely in 10 of 11 games in July, batting .293 (12-for-41) this month.

Pena (ribs) hit in an indoor cage and did "light on-field work" prior to Saturday's game against the Rangers, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena recently resumed baseball activities after landing on the IL due to a fractured left rib June 30. Though he hasn't yet tested out the injury by throwing across the diamond, the shortstop's ability to swing a bat and field ground balls are encouraging signs of progress. Pena will attend but will not play in the All-Star Game, and he could be activated off the IL shortly following the break.

Wilson (hand) will start at shortstop and bat second Saturday against the Blue Jays.

Wilson sat out three consecutive games after taking a pitch off his left hand Tuesday, but he'll manage to make it back for the penultimate game before the All-Star break. The 23-year-old shortstop has gone 3-for-12 with two RBI and a run scored in five games since the beginning of July.

Neto went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in a 6-5 win against Arizona on Friday.

Neto helped his team get off to a fast start when he crushed a 447-foot solo homer to lead off the bottom of the first inning. It was the second straight game with a long ball for the talented young shortstop, and he finished with multiple hits for the third straight contest. Neto is up to 15 home runs and 16 stolen bases on the campaign, making him one of just 11 big leaguers so far this season to reach 15 in both of those categories.