MLB Player News

Cruz went 4-for-5 with two runs in Monday's 8-3 win against the Reds.

Cruz batted atop the order and did the job of a leadoff hitter, reaching base four times on singles. His hit in the fifth inning led to Pittsburgh's first run, though Cruz wasn't credited with an RBI since the runner crossed the plate due to an error. The rookie has followed a four-game, 0-for-13 stretch by going 6-for-9 and scoring three runs over his past two contests.

Grissom is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Washington, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

After Ozzie Albies (finger) moved back to the injured list Sept. 18 following a short-lived return from his broken foot, Grissom has taken back everyday duties at second base. The rookie started each of the past eight games and went 6-for-25 with three walks, but he'll be on the bench for the series opener in Washington as manager Brian Snitker gives utility man Orlando Arcia a rare look at the keystone.

Chang is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Orioles, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Chang went 1-for-8 with a double, a walk and a run while starting in three of the past four games, but he'll likely fill a short-side platoon role in the Boston infield as the season winds down.

Diaz went 3-for-5 with a double and a run scored Sunday against the Orioles.

Diaz has started eight of 13 games since returning from the injured list Sept. 13. He hasn't had a consistent defensive home but has picked up starts at left field and every infield position besides catcher and first base. In those 13 games, Diaz has managed a .281 average with two homers, six RBI and four runs scored, and he could continue to get regular playing time to close the campaign.

Crawford went 1-for-4 with a two-run single, two walks and a run in a loss to the Royals on Sunday.

Crawford made plenty of noise out of the top of the order in the wild defeat, hitting safely for the third straight game since returning from a one-game absence due to some lower-body injuries. He has eight total bases and three RBI over that span while replacing the sidelined Julio Rodriguez (back) in the leadoff spot, where the veteran shortstop figures to remain for the balance of the regular season.

Rays manager Kevin Cash said that the jammed left hand that caused Franco's early exit in Sunday's 7-1 loss to the Blue Jays isn't anything worrisome and isn't expected to keep the 21-year-old from playing Tuesday in Cleveland, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "He just got jammed a little bit," Cash said of Franco. "He's fine. He would have hit had the game been a little closer."

Franco's departure came in the bottom of the eighth inning, when he was lifted from a pinch hitter after initially jamming his hand in his fifth-inning plate appearance. Cash noted that the Rays' six-run deficit was the main reason Franco was removed from the contest, and the infielder was fortunate not to aggravate the right wrist he had surgically repaired earlier this season. Before exiting, Franco went 1-for-3 with a single to extend his hitting streak to a career-long 12 games.

Soto went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI, a run, a stolen base and a strikeout during Sunday's 10-3 win over Minnesota.

Soto capped off a productive series in Minnesota on Sunday, as he put up a third consecutive multi-hit performance during the blowout win. He also recorded his first career stolen base in the majors in the top of the sixth inning. Over nine games since making his big-league debut, the 22-year-old has hit .346 with a home run, two doubles, five runs, four RBI and a stolen base.

Swanson went 3-for-6 with a home run and three RBI in Sunday's 8-7 win over the Phillies.

Swanson knocked an RBI single in the second inning before drilling a two-run shot in the fourth. The 28-year-old shortstop is now slashing .281/.334/.445 with 54 extra-base hits and 92 RBI through 153 games this season. However, he's hitting .250 with 26 strikeouts in 22 contests this month.

Abrams went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases in a 6-1 victory Sunday in Miami.

Abrams singled and stole second in the second and drove in a run with a single and came around to score in the eighth. He was credited with another stolen base in the fourth inning after a defensive miscommunication led to him stealing home. It was his second three-hit performance of his career and the first time he stole two bases in a big-league game. The 21-year-old has put together a strong September, producing a .307/.316/.427 slash line with seven extra-base hits and three stolen bases.

Lindor went 3-for-5 with a double, three runs and three RBI in a 13-4 win against the Athletics on Sunday.

Lindor singled and scored in the third inning, doubled home two and scored in the fourth, and singled home another run before scoring in the eighth. The 28-year-old extended his hit streak to 11 games with his fifth multi-hit performance during the stretch and is slashing a robust .316/.353/.526 with 11 extra-base hits in 23 contests this month.