MLB Player News

Abrams went 4-for-5 with a double, a solo home run, two runs scored and two steals in Sunday's 6-3 victory over the Reds.

Abrams made sure the debuting Lyon Richardson would never forget his first major-league pitch, as Abrams sent it sailing well over the right field wall. While his August had gotten off to a sluggish start, this performance was more in line with Abrams' scorching July in which he hit .327 with three home runs and 16 steals. The 22-year-old shortstop is now up to 11 home runs and 27 thefts on the season, and the future appears to be now for this blossoming fantasy stud.

Bichette (knee) took part in some throwing drills Saturday and continues to steadily increase the amount of intensity of his baseball activities since he was placed on the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

According to Zwelling, the Blue Jays hadn't ruled out the possibility of Bichette beginning a hitting progression Sunday if he bounced back well from Saturday's workout, though it's unclear whether he ended up swinging the bat to close out the weekend. In any case, Bichette appears to be responding well to treatment for the patellar tendinitis in his right knee, and while he remains without a clear timeline for a return, he seemingly has a chance at being activated from the IL shortly after he's first eligible Friday.

Ornelas will be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

Ornelas spent the start of the 2023 campaign at Round Rock and hit .250 with five homers, 54 runs, 39 RBI and nine stolen bases. He'll presumably serve in a depth role with the major-league club since Josh Jung (thumb) will likely require an IL stint.

Franco went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored in Sunday's win over the Tigers.

Franco swatted his 15th home run of the season to put the Rays up 10-6 in the eighth inning. The 22-year-old shortstop has been on an absolute tear at the plate over the last 10 days, posting a .358 batting average while hitting four home runs, driving in five and scoring nine runs in 41 plate appearances. Franco's recent hot bat has propelled the Rays to three straight series wins, as he's looked to have potentially turned a corner entering the final stretch of the season.

Winn exited Sunday's game at Triple-A Memphis due to a mild glute strain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Winn was shaken up in the sixth inning when he hit a base awkwardly, but his injury is considered mild at this point. He should be considered day-to-day for now. Winn has been dominant with the Triple-A club this year, slashing .286/.357/.470 with 17 homers, 92 runs, 59 RBI and 17 steals. However, the Cardinals may wait to call him up until mid-to-late August to preserve his rookie status for next season.

Duran went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and a walk in Sunday's 6-0 win over the Marlins.

Duran entered the game after Josh Jung was lifted with a broken thumb. It's been a rough stretch since the All-Star break for Duran, who has gone 9-for-56 (.161) with a 7:20 BB:K and just four RBI in 18 games. With Jung likely out a minimum of four weeks, Duran and Josh Smith will have a chance to compete for playing time at third base, allowing Robbie Grossman to settle in at designated hitter. Duran's .281/.326/.482 slash line is better than Smith's .214/.344/.349 mark for the year, but neither has been particularly effective lately. Duran has added 14 homers, 39 RBI, 44 runs scored and six stolen bases through 325 plate appearances, though he'd likely be on the short side of a platoon if one emerges.

Schmitt was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday.

Schmitt has been up with the big club since early May and has at times served as San Francisco's primary shortstop, but he'll head back to the minors with a .548 OPS in 218 plate appearances. Brandon Crawford has struggled in his own right this year with a .211/.281/.349 slash line, so Schmitt could receive another look in the majors before the end of the campaign.

Wendle is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers.

Wendle is taking a seat for the series finale while the Rangers bring southpaw Andrew Heaney to the hill. Jon Berti will fill in at shortstop for Wendle.

Duran is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Duran has now hit the bench three times in five games and may be losing hold of a regular spot in the lineup while he's mustered an underwhelming .145/.230/.218 slash line in 17 games since the All-Star break. Robbie Grossman will serve as the Rangers' designated hitter for a third game in a row and could end up serving as the primary replacement for Duran if the latter fails to show much improvement at the plate in the next handful of contests.

Seager is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins.

Seager is likely just receiving some maintenance after he started in each of the past four games upon being activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday. Josh Smith will step in at shortstop Sunday in place of a resting Seager, who has gone 5-for-16 with three home runs, one walk, six RBI and two additional runs since coming off the IL.