MLB Player News

Soto went 3-for-3 with two doubles, an RBI and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Soto was part of the Angels' rally for the lead in the seventh inning, knocking a game-tying RBI double and scoring the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice. This was his sixth multi-hit effort in his last eight games, with five of his 13 hits in that span going for extra bases. The infielder is now batting .381 with a home run, a triple, four doubles, seven RBI, six runs scored and a stolen base through his first 14 major-league contests. Soto's hot hitting should help protect him from losing playing time to David Fletcher, who returned from a hand injury Thursday.

Wendle will sit Saturday against Milwaukee, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Wendle returned from a hamstring injury Thursday and started a pair of games, going 1-for-4 in both. He'll sit as the Marlins go with eight right-handed bats against lefty Aaron Ashby.

Tovar isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Dodgers.

Tovar is on the bench for the second time in the last four games after he went 1-for-8 with a double over the last two matchups. Jose Iglesias will start at shortstop and bat second.

Edman isn't starting Saturday against the Pirates, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Edman went 0-for-3 during Friday's win over Pittsburgh, and he'll retreat to the bench for the second time in the last three games. Paul DeJong is starting at shortstop and batting ninth.

Cruz isn't starting Saturday against the Cardinals.

Cruz has been productive at the plate recently, hitting .455 with two doubles, five runs, two RBI, a stolen base, two walks and three strikeouts over the last five games. He'll get a breather while Kevin Newman starts at shortstop and bats fifth.

Velazquez is doing well after undergoing knee surgery Sept. 13, and he's expected to have a normal offseason, per MLB.com.

Velazquez tore the meniscus in his right knee during a game Sept. 13 and had surgery four days later. That went well according to Angels head athletic trainer Mike Frostad, and Velazquez should be able to have a normal offseason routine in preparation for spring training. The fifth-year pro impressed with his defense this year but slashed a meager .196/.236/.304 over 349 plate appearances, contributing nine home runs, 28 RBI and 17 stolen bases.

Crawford will sit Saturday against Arizona, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The Giants are all but officially eliminated from postseason contention, though the 35-year-old shortstop still finds himself playing a heavy role, starting nine straight games prior to Saturday's contest. Thairo Estrada will take his spot this time around.

Crawford isn't starting Saturday against the Athletics.

The Mariners are resting several starters Saturday after clinching a postseason berth Friday night, and Crawford will head to the bench after going 1-for-14 with an RBI, two walks and three strikeouts over the last four games. Dylan Moore is starting at shortstop and leading off.

Perdomo isn't starting Saturday against the Giants.

Perdomo is in the midst of a seven-game hitting streak in which he's slashed .409/.417/.545 with a home run, four RBI, three runs, a stolen base, one walk and five strikeouts. He'll get a day off while Sergio Alcantara starts at shortstop and bats ninth.

Swanson went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-2 win over the Mets.

Swanson's homer came in the sixth inning and put Atlanta up 3-1. It was his 23rd homer of the season and his sixth in September. The shortstop started to regress over the last month, going 25-for-111 (.225) and 33 strikeouts. During that span, Swanson's batting average has dropped from .286 to .276 largely due to a lack of consistency. Despite his recent struggles, Swanson still remains a top fantasy shortstop with his combination of power and speed.