MLB Player News

Luciano is starting at shortstop and batting ninth in Friday's game against the Rockies, Shayna Rubin of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Luciano made his 2024 debut Tuesday against the Dodgers when he pinch hit for Mike Yastrzemski in the ninth inning. Luciano started the season with Triple-A Sacramento, posting a .266/.399/.344 slash line with one home run and 20 RBI over 158 plate appearances before being recalled by the Giants on May 14. The 22-year-old appeared in 14 games for San Francisco in 2023, going 9-for-39 with three doubles and a stolen base across 14 games.

The Giants optioned Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento on Friday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Schmitt will lose his spot on the big-league roster with Jorge Soler (shoulder) returning from the injured list Friday. Schmitt went just 3-for-22 and drove in one RBI during his brief stint in the majors, though he may return to San Francisco if the Giants need to rely on their organizational infield depth again later this season.

Crawford (oblique/hand) didn't travel with the team to Baltimore but has a locker in the Mariners' clubhouse, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

The veteran shortstop was hit by a pitch on the hand during a rehab game Wednesday, and he's experienced some swelling and soreness. The fact that Crawford has a locker indicates he might return from the injured list this weekend.

Anderson (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Jacksonville on Saturday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Anderson will play for Jacksonville on Saturday and Sunday before being reevaluated. He is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list Tuesday and it would appear he's in line to return at that time. Anderson has been battling lower-back tightness, which could at least partially explain his .197/.234/.221 slash line on the season.

Rafaela is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Rafaela will get a break as Boston kicks off its series against the Cardinals. The second-year major leaguer opened the campaign as the Red Sox's primary center fielder but has mostly played shortstop over the past month. The lineup absence marks his first time on the bench since April 11.

Caballero is not in the lineup for Friday's matchup against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Caballero has started in the majority of games for Tampa Bay at shortstop this season, but he will get a break as the Rays kick off their series with Toronto. It's the 27-year-old's sixth absences in 46 this season, and he's slashing .252/.309/.360 with 17 stolen bases and 13 RBI. Amed Rosario will get the start in place of Caballero at shortstop and against the Blue Jays.

Shewmake was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte on Friday.

The 26-year-old will move back to Charlotte with Danny Mendick (back) being reinstated from the 10-day IL on Friday. Shewmake struggled during 29 games in the bigs, slashing .125/.134/.203 with one walk across 67 plate appearances.

Swanson (knee) took live batting practice Friday, Ryan Herrera of MLB.com reports.

Swanson landed on the 10-day injured list a week ago with a right knee injury. He'll be eligible for activation Saturday, but while it appears he is making progress, it seems unlikely that he will be ready at that time. With Nico Hoerner (hamstring) also banged up, the Cubs' shortstop depth has thinned, and Miles Mastrobuoni has started the last three games.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said Monday that he has no plans to bench Baez, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

"He's going to play, a lot," Hinch said. Baez has again been one of the least productive regulars from an offensive standpoint in baseball, slashing just .167/.200/.222 with one home run over 135 plate appearances. He's hit only .223/.265/.346 since signing a six-year, $140 million contract prior to the 2022 campaign. Baez also has graded out poorly defensively in 2024 with minus-4 Outs Above Average, although he was plus-9 in OAA in 2023 and the Tigers still seem happy with his defense. Given that the underwhelming Zach McKinstry would represent their likely alternative at shortstop, the Tigers appear willing to continue riding it out with Baez in hopes that he can rebound to at least a competent level at the plate.

De La Cruz went 4-for-4 with a double, an RBI, three runs scored and four stolen bases in Thursday's win over the Dodgers while also drawing a walk.

De La Cruz was a force to be reckoned with, reaching base five times and swiping at least one bag following each of his first three plate appearances. Those steals would lead to him scoring three runs, marking the third time this season he's accomplished that feat. It was also the star shortstop's first four-hit game on the campaign and his third game with three or more hits. De La Cruz has a whopping 30 stolen bases on the season following his first four-steal performance, sitting 13 ahead of the next closest player, Tampa Bay's Jose Caballero.