MLB Player News

Berti went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base in Monday's 4-0 win over Atanta.

The veteran utility player will almost certainly be the only player in the majors this season to reach the 40-steal plateau. Berti's also set a new career high in the category at the age of 32 -- his previous best was only 17 in 2019 -- but his .236/.319/.328 slash line indicates how one-dimensional his fantasy value has been. With MLB making rule changes that should boost the running game league-wide in 2023, he could be overvalued at draft tables if his SB total no longer stands out from the pack.

Soto went 2-for-5 with a run scored in Monday's extra-inning loss to the Athletics.

The 22-year-old has exploded onto the scene for the Angels over the last few weeks, and he kept it going with a strong game batting out of the leadoff spot Monday. Soto's multi-hit effort was his eighth over his last 10 games, during which he is 18-for-36. Soto will likely come back to earth next season, as he sports an unsustainable BABIP north of .500, but he will be worth keeping an eye on to see if he earns regular playing time.

Baez went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Monday's 4-3 win over Seattle.

Seattle starter George Kirby entered the contest having gone 14 starts since serving up his last long ball, but Baez snapped that streak with his two-run shot in the third inning on an 0-2 slider. The homer was Baez's 18th of the campaign, giving him an outside chance of reaching 20 for his fifth straight full season (excluding the substantially shortened 2020 campaign). Baez's power has ticked up near the end of the season, as he has five long balls over his past 16 contests.

Witt went 1-for-5 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 5-2 extra-inning win over the Guardians.

Witt has struggled a bit to begin October, going 2-for-13 with two walks and two steals in three games this month. The late surge on the basepaths was ultimately enough to earn him a 30-steal season as a rookie. He's also maintained a .254/.295/.431 slash line with 20 home runs, 80 RBI, 82 runs scored, 31 doubles and six triples through 148 contests.

Franco went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and triple in Monday's loss to the Red Sox.

Franco launched a leadoff homer off Rich Hill to open Monday's contest, giving the Rays an early 1-0 lead. He later added a single and a triple in the contest. The homer was his sixth of the season and first since July 2. Since returning from the 10-day injured list Sept. 9, Franco has produced a .322 average with a homer, a triple, eight doubles, 10 RBI, 12 runs and three stolen bases over 86 at-bats in 24 games.

Bogaerts (back) is expected to play Tuesday against the Rays, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Manager Alex Cora noted that Bogaerts' back tightened up when taking swings in the cage prior to first pitch, but he believes the shortstop will be ready to go Tuesday. He'll likely be re-evaluated Tuesday morning to determine his status for the second to last contest of the regular season.

Bogaerts isn't in Monday's lineup against the Rays due to back tightness, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Bogaerts is on the bench for a second consecutive game, and he's apparently dealing with a back issue. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Boston's final two games of the regular season Tuesday and Wednesday.

Crawford isn't starting Monday against the Tigers, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

After a two-walk, 0-for-2 performance Sunday, Crawford will get a day off Monday. In his place, Dylan Moore will start at shortstop and bat seventh.

Bogaerts isn't starting Monday against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.

Bogaerts has gone just 1-for-17 with an RBI, three walks and three strikeouts over his last five games, and he'll be on the bench for a second consecutive matchup. Enrique Hernandez is starting at shortstop and batting seventh.

Edman is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Pittsburgh, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Edman is on the bench for the third time in five games while Paul DeJong steps in for him at shortstop. Though he's limping to the finish line of the regular season with a .100/.229/.133 slash line over his last nine games, Edman may not be fully secure in an everyday role as the postseason approaches.