MLB Player News

Velazquez hasn't started a game since prior to the All-Star break, though he's gotten into seven second-half contests as a pinch runner and/or defensive replacement.

Velazquez was starting at shortstop fairly frequently in the week leading up to the break, but that opportunity dried up when Zach Neto returned from the injured list. Velazquez has subsequently served exclusively in a reserve role, primarily as a pinch runner. Though he's seen action in seven games since the start of the second half, he's logged only three plate appearances, going 0-for-2 with a walk. The Angels have been taking advantage of his speed, however, as Velazquez has tallied three stolen bases in three attempts during the seven-game span. Given his career .192/.247/.290 slash line, it's not a surprise that Velazquez hasn't been able to nail down a starting role.

Seager (thumb) is expected to need a stint on the injured list, Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com reports.

X-rays came back clean on Seager's right thumb after he injured it on a slide into second base Friday versus the Dodgers. However, he's undergoing an MRI on Saturday and more will be known once those results are in. The feeling seems to be that he is going to have to miss some time. Ezequiel Duran is getting a start at shortstop Saturday and figures to see the bulk of the action there while Seager is sidelined.

Perdomo will sit Saturday against Cincinnati, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.

The switch-hitting shortstop has broke out to the tune of a .278/.385/.408 slash line (good for a 119 wRC+) this season, but the Diamondbacks have been hesitant to use him against lefties like Saturday's starter Brandon Williamson. Perdomo has started only three times against a southpaw all season, and he'll again turn the reins over to Nick Ahmed at shortstop Saturday.

Seager (thumb) is not in the lineup for Saturday's game versus the Dodgers, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

On a more positive note, Seager is listed on the Rangers' lineup card among the reserves, so it appears he is avoiding the injured list for the time being. Seager suffered a right thumb sprain on a slide into second base in Friday's loss to the Dodgers. Ezequiel Duran will play shortstop Saturday.

De La Cruz will be on the bench for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

De La Cruz sits for just the second time since being called up in early June. He's been stuck in a slump since the break, going 2-for-31 with 15 strikeouts and dropping his OPS from .887 to .757. The arrival of Christian Encarnacion-Strand crowds the Reds' roster, and the team is in the thick of a playoff race, so De La Cruz will need to keep performing to remain in an everyday role down the stretch.

Swanson (heel) was activated off the 10-day injured list Saturday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Swanson hasn't played in a little over two weeks after bruising his heel in early July, but he's ready to go without a rehab assignment. The shortstop has had a fine first season in Chicago, slashing .258/.343/.409, though his four steals in 83 games are a disappointment from a fantasy perspective after he swiped a career-high 18 bags last season. It remains to be seen if the heel issue will have any lingering effects on his willingness to take off on the bases. Jared Young was optioned to clear space for Swanson's return.

McLain went 2-for-4 with a walk, a grand slam, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

The rookie shortstop supplied the biggest blow on the night, driving a 100.9 mph fastball from Justin Martinez over the right-field fence in the fifth inning for McLain's first career grand slam. It's his ninth homer of the season and second in his last four games, and through his first 57 big-league contests he's slashing an impressive .301/.367/.519 with eight steals, 34 RBI and 44 runs.

Pena went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in Friday's 6-4 win over the Athletics.

Pena dealt with a hamstring cramp over the weekend, but that appears to be behind him. Friday marked his first multi-hit effort since July 5 -- he went just 4-for-36 over the nine games in between. The shortstop is at a .239/.292/.381 slash line with 10 home runs, nine steals, 33 RBI and 46 runs scored through 87 contests this season.

Neto went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 win over the Pirates.

Neto extended his hitting streak to six games with his fifth-inning blast. In that span, he's gone 7-for-27 (.259) with two homers and four RBI. The shortstop has hit leadoff in every game since the All-Star break, and the results are solid so far. He's at a .252/.328/.432 slash line with eight long balls, 27 RBI, 30 runs scored and five stolen bases through 62 contests this season.

Arcia went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a walk in Friday's win over Milwaukee.

Arcia went deep in the second inning for his 10th homer of the year. He's hit three long balls in the last four games after a nine-game drought. The All-Star shortstop is now slashing .291/.345/.448 with 22 extra-base hits and 34 RBI through 75 games.