MLB Player News

Schmitt will sit Saturday against the Cubs, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports.

Schmitt had been set for an off day Friday but wound up needed at third base after J.D. Davis was scratched with a minor hip issue. Davis is back in the lineup Saturday, so Schmitt will get his day off one day later than originally planned. After starting his MLB career with 11 hits in his first five games, the rookie owns an .492 OPS in his last 23 contests.

Abrams will sit Saturday against Atlanta, Bobby Blanco of MASNSports.com reports.

Abrams has started against every righty the Nationals have faced this season, but his off day here against Jared Shuster means he's now sat against three of the last five southpaws who started against the Nationals. Abrams has struggled to a .616 OPS against lefties this season, though that isn't all that much worse than his .668 OPS against right-handers. Ildemaro Vargas will start at shortstop Saturday.

Smith will sit Saturday against the Brewers, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Smith started a pair of games after getting recalled earlier this week, going 2-for-9 at the plate. He'll retreat to the bench Saturday as Aledmys Diaz takes over at shortstop.

Rojas will sit Saturday against Philadelphia, Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA reports.

Rojas left Wednesday's game against the Reds with neck tightness and sat out Thursday's contest with the same issue, but he returned Friday and went 0-for-4 at the plate. He'll sit again Saturday, though it's unclear whether this absence has anything to do with his health. The veteran's .214/.248/.256 season slash line means he's fallen short of a true everyday role even when healthy. Chris Taylor will start at shortstop Saturday.

Witt went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in Friday's 3-2 loss to the Orioles.

Witt has swiped five bags over his last nine games, a span in which he's hit .250 (9-for-36) with a home run and two RBI. The theft was his 20th of the year, ranking him fourth in the majors. He's still having some trouble hitting consistently, as he's batting .234 on the year. Witt's added 10 home runs, 27 RBI, 37 runs scored, eight doubles and four triples. He's at virtually no risk of losing his place in the lineup, and the counting stats make up for mediocre ratios.

The Cardinals will continue to play Edman in center field even after the return of Dylan Carlson (ankle) on Friday, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

At least while Lars Nootbaar (back) and Tyler O'Neill (back) are on the shelf, the Cardinals have a more pressing need for Edman's defense in center field than in the infield. Dylan Carlson's defense stands out more in right field, and having Edman and Carlson out there together lessens the strain on Jordan Walker in left field.

Perdomo will sit Saturday against the Tigers.

Perdomo is a switch hitter but has been used in a platoon role with Nick Ahmed at shortstop this season. Perdomo has started against all but two righties this season (occasionally filling in at second base with Ahmed starting at short) but has gotten the call just once against a lefty. With southpaw Matthew Boyd starting for the Tigers, Ahmed gets the start.

Rojas (neck) returned to the lineup against Philadelphia on Friday and went 0-for-4 in the 5-4 loss.

Rojas sat out Thursday due to neck tightness but missed only one contest. The veteran has worked as Los Angeles' primary shortstop this season, though he's produced a mediocre .217/.248/.256 slash line over 137 plate appearances. Rojas does have three stolen bases, but he's yet to go deep and has knocked in only six runs.

Baez went 2-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's 11-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.

Baez went deep in the ninth inning for just his fourth home run of the season through 58 games played. He had just 17 long balls last year, which was his lowest total in a full season since 2016. Baez may struggle to even get to 17 home runs this year, and so far his time in Detroit has been fairly underwhelming, as his fantasy production has fallen off.

Wendle went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's loss to the White Sox.

The infielder provided the Marlins with their only offense when he took Dylan Cease deep in the fifth inning. It's Wendle's first homer of the year, and it extended his modest hit streak to six games -- a stretch in which he's gone 10-for-23 (.435) with four doubles and eight runs scored.