MLB Player News

Baez (bereavement) is expected back for the second game of Friday's doubleheader in Cleveland, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Baez will not be available for the first game as he makes his way back from Puerto Rico, where he was attending funeral services for his grandfather, but he is expected back in the lineup for the nightcap. Zach McKinstry is at shortstop for the afternoon tilt.

Grissom is absent from the lineup for Friday's game versus the Giants.

It's Atlanta's third game since Grissom was recalled from Triple- A Gwinnett and he has yet to see any action as the team continues to roll with Nicky Lopez at second base while Ozzie Albies (hamstring) is out. Atlanta has faced a righty in all three contests, so it's possible Grissom will draw some starts versus lefties. The 22-year-old had a .327/.412/.494 slash line at Gwinnett with six homers and 11 steals in 88 games.

Correa (foot) is playing shortstop and batting cleanup Friday versus the Pirates.

Correa didn't play in Wednesday's win over the Tigers due to what the Twins simply referred to as soreness, but it's reasonable to assume it was foot-related since he's been playing through plantar fasciitis for a while. He's feeling well enough to give it a go Friday after Thursday's off day, as he and his Minnesota teammates take on Andre Jackson and the Pirates.

Bichette (knee) is expected to be back in the Blue Jays' lineup Saturday in Cincinnati, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Bichette revealed the news himself while being interviewed after he homered and played shortstop Thursday in his second rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo. He will fly to Cincinnati to join his team Friday, but it sounds like the Jays will wait until Saturday to activate him, or at least put him in the lineup. Bichette has been sidelined since late July because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

Downs went 1-for-1 with two walks, three runs and a stolen base in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

Getting a rare start at shortstop and batting ninth, Downs was able to flip the lineup and come around to score every time he came to the plate. The 25-year-old has started only two games since getting promoted after the trade deadline, and while he isn't going to displace CJ Abrams at shortstop, Downs could begin to get more opportunities at second base or third base if he keeps producing when given the chance.

Abrams stole two bases and scored a run in Thursday's win over the Red Sox.

The shortstop began the game on the bench, but after getting hit by a pitch in the eighth inning when he pinch-hit for Jeter Downs, Abrams races around the bases before adding an insurance run for the Nationals on a Stone Garrett single. Abrams is up to 33 steals in 36 attempts on the season, and since the All-Star break the 22-year-old is slashing .272/.338/.432 with four homers, nine RBI and 23 runs in 32 games.

Winn had his contract selected by the Cardinals on Thursday.

Winn will join the major-league roster with 45 days remaining in the regular season. The team's top prospect has produced a .283 average with 17 homers, 60 RBI, 97 runs and 17 stolen bases over 104 games with Triple-A Memphis this year. Lars Nootbaar (abdomen) was placed on the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move.

Neto (back) is reportedly pain-free and is expected to return to baseball activities as soon as Friday, per MLB.com.

Neto landed on the injured list with a back injury Aug. 4 and hasn't taken part in baseball activities since. He was diagnosed with inflammation but has subsequently made progress toward his return. Neto is expected back before the end of the campaign, though he may still be several weeks away from being activated.

Rojas is not in the lineup Thursday versus the Brewers.

Rojas has collected two homers and seven RBI over his last three games, but Enrique Hernandez will get the start at shortstop and bat eighth Thursday against Milwaukee ace Corbin Burnes. Rojas carries an overall .510 OPS versus righties this year.

Baez is expected to return from the bereavement list Friday, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Baez has been away from the Tigers since Saturday while attending funeral services for his grandfather in Puerto Rico. He should appear in at least one half of Friday's doubleheader against the Guardians. Thursday's series opener in Cleveland was postponed due to rain, resulting in the twin bill.