MLB Player News

Alexander went 3-for-5 with a home run, five RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Giants.

Alexander enjoyed the best game of his young career, hitting his first career grand slam in the eighth inning. The 24-year-old rookie has filled in admirably since Geraldo Perdomo (knee) was placed on the injured list April 4. Alexander is slashing .340/.404/.596 with three home runs and 12 RBI over his first 52 plate appearances.

De La Cruz went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, three stolen bases and an additional run scored in Friday's 8-1 victory over the Angels.

De La Cruz turned a two-out single into the Reds' first run in the second inning, stealing second base before swiping third and scoring on an errant throw. The 22-year-old shortstop would add a third stolen base in the fourth before breaking the game open with a three-run homer off Jose Cisnero in the eighth. De La Cruz has lived up to expectations early this year -- he's now slashing .290/.364/.638 with six homers, 18 runs scored and 14 RBI while going 10-for-12 in stolen base attempts.

The Diamondbacks designated Peterson for assignment Friday.

Peterson was unable to make the most of his opportunities after shortstop Geraldo Perdomo (knee) was placed on the 10-day IL on April 7. Peterson hasn't recorded a hit since April 5, and he has reached base just four times over 26 plate appearances this season. In a corresponding move, the Diamondbacks recalled Pavin Smith from Triple-A Reno.

Baez is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Twins, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

Baez has found some success at the plate recently with an .871 OPS across the past five games, but he'll head to the bench for Friday's series opener at Minnesota. Zach McKinstry will step in at shortstop and bat seventh.

The Reds claimed Soto off waivers and optioned him to Triple-A Louisville on Friday.

The 23-year-old was designated for assignment by Baltimore earlier in the week and will now join his third team of 2024. Soto has 10 appearances at the Triple-A level this season and has a .780 OPS in 32 at-bats.

Atlanta selected Williams' contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.

He's taking Forrest Wall's roster spot, giving Atlanta some more infield protection with Ozzie Albies (toe) out. Williams has a career .225/.281/.295 slash line over parts of three major-league seasons.

Peterson started at shortstop and went 0-for-3 in Thursday's 5-0 loss to the Giants.

Peterson, who extended a hitless run to 18 at-bats, made just his fourth start of the season. The lack of opportunities may explain his .045 batting average. At the time of shortstop Geraldo Perdomo's knee injury earlier this month, the lefty-hitting Peterson was in position to fill a strong side of a platoon, but that never materialized. Both Kevin Newman and Blaze Alexander continue to get work against right-handers.

Story (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.

The move was strictly procedural, as Story has already been ruled out for the rest of the 2024 season. The transaction opened a 40-man roster spot for the newly acquired Vladimir Gutierrez.

Baez went 2-for-5 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 9-7 loss to the Rangers.

The doubles were Baez's first of the season, and he's still sitting on just one home run across 17 games. The shortstop isn't hitting a ton of singles either, as he's batting just .172. While he's shown an ability in the past to heat up quickly, his struggles the past few seasons don't instill a ton of confidence. Baez should continue to see regular playing time, however, giving him an opportunity to turn things around.

Alexander is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Giants.

Alexander will take a seat for the series opener as the Giants bring ace right-hander Logan Webb to the hill. While the rookie still looks to be the Diamondbacks' preferred option at shortstop while Geraldo Perdomo (knee) is on the shelf, Alexander might have a shorter leash than anticipated while he's experienced some early hiccups defensively. Jace Peterson will cover shortstop Thursday.