MLB Player News

Fletcher went 2-for-4 with a solo home run Friday in a loss to Detroit.

Fletcher got the start at second base in his first game since being recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake on Thursday. The veteran infielder plated one of Los Angeles' two runs with a solo shot to left field in the seventh inning. Fletcher isn't likely to see everyday playing time as the Angels evaluate their younger talent down the stretch of what has become a lost season. He's slashing .235/.264/.373 with two homers, nine RBI and four runs over 53 big-league plate appearances on the campaign.

Baez went 2-for-5 with a home run, a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Friday's win over the Angels.

Baez clocked a solo homer in the fourth inning before ripping a bases-clearing double in the eighth. He snapped a 16-game homerless drought and produced his first multi-RBI game since Aug. 21. Baez has just two home runs in 29 games since the start of August, slashing .195/.263/.287 during that span. For the year, he owns a .586 OPS with 27 extra-base hits through 511 plate appearances.

Arias went 2-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 12-3 win over the Rangers.

Arias has picked up steady playing time in September, but he's batting just .231 (12-for-52) over 13 games this month. Most of his playing time is coming at shortstop, and it's a positive sign he's sticking in the lineup when the Guardians are at virtually full health. The infielder is essentially learning on the job, given his .213/.282/.354 slash line with nine home runs, three steals, 21 RBI and 34 runs scored through 115 contests overall.

Rojas went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run in Friday's 6-3 win over the Mariners.

Rojas snapped a 20-game homer drought with his go-ahead blast in the fifth inning. The infielder was at least productive during the power outage, going 19-for-64 (.297) in that span, though he picked up just four RBI. He's seen steady playing time at shortstop this year, posting a .237/.293/.322 slash line with four homers, 29 RBI, 45 runs scored and eight stolen bases through 113 contests.

Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 8-3 win over the Athletics.

Bogaerts is batting .444 (20-for-45) with three steals over 12 contests in September. He's logged five multi-hit efforts in that span as he seems set to put together a strong finish after a challenging first season with the Padres. The shortstop is up to a career-high 16 steals this year while adding 18 home runs, 50 RBI, 70 runs scored and a .273/.343/.424 slash line through 141 contests.

The Angels recalled Paris from Triple-A Salt Lake on Friday.

Paris returns 24 hours after being optioned with Mike Moustakas (forearm) hitting the 10-day injured list. The versatile 21-year-old Paris has gone just 3-for-32 (.094) through his first 13 major-league games but could see fairly regular starts down the stretch as the Angels look ahead to 2024.

Lawlar isn't in Arizona's lineup Friday against the Cubs.

Lawlar has gone just 2-for-17 at the plate through the first six games of his MLB career, so the D-backs will sit him against Justin Steele. Geraldo Perdomo will fill in at shortstop while Evan Longoria covers third base Friday.

Smith is not in the lineup Friday against the Padres.

Jordan Diaz will start at third base and bat sixth as Nick Allen plays shortstop and hits eighth. The 27-year-old Smith has slashed just .200/.233/.357 across 125 major-league plate appearances this year with the Athletics.

Reyes is not in the lineup Friday versus the Blue Jays.

Luis Urias will start at second base and bat ninth against the Jays and right-hander Jose Berrios. Reyes has gone 1-for-6 with two walks and two strikeouts since returning Tuesday from a two-week absence due to elbow inflammation.

De La Cruz is out of the lineup Friday against the Mets.

For the second time in as many matchups with a left-handed pitcher (David Peterson), the switch-hitting De La Cruz will take a seat. Noelvi Marte will fill in at shortstop for De La Cruz, who is stuck in a 1-for-20 funk at the plate over his last seven contests.