MLB Player News

The Pirates announced July 31 that Griffin (finger) has resumed participating in baseball activities, including playing catch and taking right-handed swings against a Trajekt machine, MLB.com reports.

Griffin is about four and a half weeks into a six-week immobilization period for his left ring finger sagittal band injury, but he'll still be able to do some light activities during that time. Once the six weeks are up around the middle of August, Griffin could be cleared for more intense workouts as he gears up for a potential return from the 60-day injured list in early September. While Griffin remains out, Jacob Gonzalez is expected to see the bulk of the reps at shortstop for the Pirates.

Johnson was removed from Triple-A Indianapolis' game against Iowa on Saturday after four innings due to an apparent left knee injury, Danny Demilio of PittsburghBaseballNow.com reports.

Johnson sustained the injury while tumbling over first base as he attempted to beat out a grounder for an infield single in the bottom of the fourth. Per Jason Mackey of MLB.com, Johnson needed to be carted off the field and was fitted for an air cast. The Pirates haven't provided an updated diagnosis for Johnson, but the knee issue seems likely to force the 22-year-old to Indianapolis' injured list.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said Sunday that Williams, who was activated from Triple-A Nashville's 7-day injured list Saturday, is headed to Arizona to visit a specialist after aggravating his wrist injury, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

The young infielder struck out in his lone plate appearance Saturday before departing the contest due to continued wrist soreness. Williams spent a month on the shelf due to injury, which was originally considered a minor issue. Since he's already stepping away from the club to be evaluated, a return trip to the IL wouldn't be surprising.

Baez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants.

Kevin McGonigle will cover shortstop in the series finale in place of Baez, who started at the position in each of the Tigers' previous three contests while going 4-for-14 with three RBI. Though he appears to be locked in as a near-everyday player for the time being, Baez could fade into more of a part-time role once Kerry Carpenter (foot) eventually returns from the injured list.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said July 31 that Crawford is expected to be "a couple weeks down" after requiring an injection to relieve inflammation in his left wrist, MLB.com reports.

Crawford was expected to rest for 3-to-5 days following the injection, so he may have already started up the process of ramping back up. The veteran infielder is eligible to return from the injured list Sunday, but it looks like he'll need more time to complete a full range of baseball activities before the Mariners bring him back from the shelf. Brendan Donovan returned from the IL on Tuesday and has settled in as the Mariners' primary third baseman, so Crawford could be headed for a utility role once he's activated.

Walls (back) will start at shortstop and bat ninth Sunday against the Mariners, Ryan Bass of Rays.tv reports.

The 30-year-old was withheld from the starting nine in Saturday's 3-2 win due to lower-back tightness, but he'll rejoin the lineup for the series finale in Seattle. Walls is batting .103 (3-for-29) with four walks, three steals and 11 strikeouts in his past 12 games.

Ortiz is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins due to an upper-back injury and is considered day-to-day, Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports 920 Milwaukee reports.

Ortiz was forced out of Saturday's 4-3 win due to the injury, but his back issue is considered less of a concern than the hamstring strain fellow infielder Cooper Pratt sustained in the same game. With the Brewers moving Pratt to the injured list Sunday, Ortiz could settle in as the primary option at shortstop once he's healthy. David Hamilton will cover shortstop Sunday while Andrew Vaughn makes his second career MLB start at third base.

Culpepper is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Brewers.

The 23-year-old started at shortstop in his first two MLB games after being called up Friday, and he'll get a break Sunday after going 2-for-5 with a walk, two hit-by-pitches and solo home run. Ryan Kreidler will handle shortstop for the Twins in the series finale.

The Brewers placed Pratt on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamstring strain.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy disclosed that Pratt was set to undergo an MRI on Sunday after experiencing hamstring discomfort during Saturday's 4-3 win over the Twins. While the results of Pratt's imaging aren't yet available, the Brewers determined that the rookie's hamstring injury was enough of a concern to keep him out for the next week and a half. David Hamilton will draw the start at shortstop in Sunday's series finale, and he and Joey Ortiz (neck) will likely serve as the Brewers' primary options at the position while Pratt is on the shelf.

Gonzalez is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

The left-handed-hitting Gonzalez will head to the bench for the second time in the series while the Mets send another lefty starter (Sean Manaea) to the bump. Jared Triolo will step in for Gonzalez at shortstop and will bat eighth.