MLB Player News

Bichette went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in Tuesday's 9-6 loss to the Cubs.

Bichette launched a two-run homer off Jayden Murray in the ninth inning for his ninth long ball of the year. The 28-year-old has been on fire lately, batting .405 (17-for-42) with 10 RBI over his last 10 games. The hot streak has significantly boosted his season numbers, as he has raised his batting average from .213 on June 2 to .251 entering Wednesday. Through 341 plate appearances, Bichette owns a .674 OPS with 11 doubles, one triple, nine home runs, 44 RBI, 40 runs scored and one stolen base.

Swanson went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI in Tuesday's 9-6 win over the Mets.

While it's been a rough season overall for Swanson, he is now riding a modest four-game hitting streak, and he's got two home runs and seven RBI during the hot stretch. The veteran shortstop is still stuck with a subpar .189 batting average and .641 OPS for the year, but he's remained a lineup fixture for the Cubs, and he's at least showing some signs of turning things around.

Abrams was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Phillies due to left side tightness.

The severity of Abrams' injury remains unknown, though it will prevent him from getting a chance to extend his six-game hitting streak Tuesday. Nasim Nunez will move over to shortstop with Abrams out, opening up second base for Jorbit Vivas.

Winn was scratched from the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Diamondbacks due to left thumb soreness, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

It's unclear when exactly Winn sustained the injury, as he's in the midst of a seven-game hit streak during which he has gone 11-for-28 (.393 average) with two doubles and a homer. The 24-year-old should be considered day-to-day as he continues to be evaluated.

Manager Don Kelly announced that Griffin (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Wednesday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The rookie shortstop has been rehabbing his forearm strain in Florida and has been cleared for game action after ramping up his throwing program over the past week. Per Dan Zangrilli of 93.7 The Fan Pittsburgh, Griffin could return to the Pirates' active roster as soon as this weekend's series against the Reds.

Witt (knee) remains out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Rays.

Witt went through a full pregame workout Monday, and the Royals remain optimistic he can avoid the injured list, but he will miss a fourth straight start with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. According to Brian Murphy of MLB.com, manager Matt Quatraro expects Witt to be available off the bench Tuesday. Tyler Tolbert is starting at shortstop for Kansas City on Tuesday.

Pena (hamstring) is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Toronto.

Pena was forced to depart Monday's contest versus the Blue Jays with a right hamstring cramp. Astros manager Joe Espada said that Pena will go through a full pregame workout and could be available off the bench Tuesday, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports. Raynel Delgado is covering shortstop for Houston on Tuesday.

Lopez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double, a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's loss to the Rangers.

The 27-year-old shortstop swiped his third bag in the last four games and his 16th of the season as he continues to march toward a career-best campaign. Through 19 games in June, Lopez is slashing a sizzling .351/.393/.506 with a homer, six steals, eight RBI and 16 runs, and he leads MLB with a .336 batting average and 103 hits on the year.

The Twins promoted Houston from High-A Cedar Rapids to Double-A Wichita on Monday.

Houston earned the bump up to the Texas League after slashing .325/.406/.461 with five home runs and 24 steals (on 26 attempts) across 268 plate appearances with Cedar Rapids. The 22-year-old is viewed as a plus defender at shortstop, but he could nonetheless get more exposure to second base and third base in the higher levels of the minors if the Twins envision him serving as a utility infielder once he reaches the big leagues.

The Reds activated De La Cruz (hamstring) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Charlie Goldsmith of Fox 19 Now Cincinnati reports.

De La Cruz has been out for all of June with a right hamstring strain, but he's ready to go after playing three rehab games with Triple-A Louisville. He will return to shortstop for the Reds, pushing Matt McLain back to second base.