MLB Player News

Anderson (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, James Fegan of The Athletic reports.

Anderson got through another workout Thursday without any problems, clearing the way for the start of his rehab assignment. White Sox manager Pedro Grifol is on record as saying Anderson likely needs 10-15 rehab at-bats, so the shortstop could stay with Charlotte through the weekend before returning Tuesday versus the Twins if all goes well.

Baez (hand) is back in the Tigers' lineup for Thursday's game versus the Orioles.

Baez had to exit Wednesday's game against the Brewers after being hit on the left hand by a pitch, but X-rays came back clean and he won't miss any starts. The veteran shortstop is still looking for his first home run of the season but had carried a 10-game hitting streak into Wednesday's action.

Cruz (fibula) returned to the clubhouse Thursday after he had the staples removed from his surgically-repaired left leg this week, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Cruz was also given clearance to begin upper-body conditioning and weight lifting, the first significant step in what will be a long rehab process. The dynamic 24-year-old shortstop is expected to be sidelined until at least early August. Rodolfo Castro has been at short most days for the Pirates since the April 9 fibula fracture.

Neto is not in the Angels' lineup Thursday against the Athletics, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

It's the first day off the rookie has received since his promotion. Neto hasn't gained much traction at the plate yet, although he does have six hits in his last 19 at-bats. Gio Urshela will handle shortstop Thursday.

Marcano is starting at second base and hitting leadoff Thursday versus the Dodgers, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Ke'Bryan Hayes has largely settled into the leadoff role for the Pirates in the wake of Oneil Cruz's ankle fracture, but Hayes will get the day off Thursday. Marcano boasts an .851 OPS in 24 plate appearances since his April 15 promotion to the majors and has now started four of the last five games at second base for Pittsburgh.

Duran replaced Josh Jung at third base Wednesday after the latter was hit by a pitch on the hand. Duran went 0-for-2 and was caught stealing in a 5-3 loss to the Reds.

X-rays on Jung's hand came back negative for a fracture, and the Rangers are describing the injury as a contusion. That suggests his absence will be minimal. The Rangers begin a series against the Yankees on Thursday and face New York right-hander Gerrit Cole (4-0, 0.79 ERA). If Jung is unable to go, the righty-hitting Duran and lefty-swinging Brad Miller are options for the hot corner.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Wednesday in a loss to the Angels.

The Athletics were routed in the contest, but Smith had a productive performance with his second homer and second multi-hit effort of the campaign. The infielder has started each of the first three games in the series against the Angels, going 4-for-10 with a pair of homers and four RBI.

Crawford went 3-for-4 with a double and a grand slam in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia.

Crawford led off back-to-back home runs in the second inning, hitting a grand slam off Taijuan Walker that was followed up by a Julio Rodriguez solo homer. Crawford was as productive as a nine-hole hitter could be Wednesday, coming up just a triple shy of the cycle after hitting a single in the seventh and a double in the ninth. The shortstop has been quite productive in 2023 with a .271/.407/.414 slash line to pair with 14 runs scored in 87 plate appearances.

Anderson (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte this weekend, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After landing on the 10-day injured list April 11, Anderson now appears ready to return to game action. If all goes well in Charlotte, the veteran shortstop could be activated ahead of Chicago's series against Minnesota on Tuesday. Anderson was slashing .298/.327/.404 before spraining his left knee.

Crawford isn't in the Giants' lineup for Wednesday's game against St. Louis, Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

With Steven Matz starting for the Cardinals on Wednesday, Crawford and his .413 OPS against left-handers will take a seat. Thairo Estrada will take over at shortstop, allowing David Villar to start at second base and bat eighth.