MLB Player News

Franco is not in Sunday's lineup against the Rangers, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

Franco is hitting .278 with two doubles, two strikeouts and one walk in 10 games since getting activated earlier this month. Taylor Walls is starting at shortstop and hitting ninth.

Story (heel) is not in Sunday's lineup against the Royals.

Story has been sidelined all week with left heel soreness, but he hit and ran the bases Sunday. Yu Chang gets the start at the keystone, hitting eighth. Boston has an off day Monday before a two-game series in Cincinnati.

Baez (knee) is starting at designated hitter and batting third Sunday against the White Sox.

Baez entered Saturday's game as a pinch hitter after tweaking his knee during a play at the plate in Friday's game. He is swinging a hot bat, slashing .370/.404/.593 with two home runs and one steal in 15 games this month.

Witt went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored in Saturday's victory over the Red Sox.

Witt singled home MJ Melendez in the fifth inning and Hunter Dozier in the sixth. He also reached home on a Vinnie Pasquantino double in the fifth inning. Since Sept. 7, Witt has hits in eight of nine games, going 10-for-35. Despite that, his batting average has only increased three points to .249 during that span thanks in part to striking out five times.

Grissom figures to see everyday work at second base down the stretch after Ozzie Albies suffered a broken right pinky finger Saturday against the Phillies.

Albies had just returned from a foot injury, but this latest injury likely ends his season. Grissom has excelled in all five roto categories, hitting .301 with five home runs, five steals, 22 runs and 16 RBI in 32 games.

Edman went 3-for-5 with one RBI and one steal in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Reds.

Edman nabbed second base against righty reliever Hunter Strickland and catcher Chuckie Robinson in the first game of Saturday's twin bill. After a 15-game stretch when he recorded a .426 average over 54 at-bats, the shortstop suffered an 0-for-11 slump in his last three games before breaking out of it in this contest. In addition, the 27-year-old has recorded four steals in his last eight games.

Velazquez (knee) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Saturday.

Velazquez's move to the 60-day IL is simply procedural, as the Angels announced this week that the shortstop will be shut down for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn right meniscus. He underwent surgery Saturday, per Sarah Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Times. He'll likely be ready for spring training in 2023, while Livan Soto was called up to provide additional depth in the Angels' infield.

Soto's contract was selected from Double-A Rocket City on Saturday.

Soto was productive at Rocket City to begin the season, hitting .281 with six home runs, 69 runs, 56 RBI and 18 stolen bases. He'll provide additional infield depth for the Angels after David Fletcher (hand) was placed on the 10-day injured list. Soto isn't starting Saturday against the Mariners but should be available off the bench.

Baez was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the White Sox due to right knee soreness.

Baez was removed from Saturday's lineup a few hours before the start of the game and is apparently dealing with a knee issue. The severity of the injury isn't yet clear, but he should tentatively be considered day-to-day.

Baez was scratched from Saturday's lineup against the White Sox for an undisclosed reason.

Baez has been productive recently, going 5-for-7 with a home run, a triple, a double, two runs and a stolen base over the last two games. However, he was removed from Saturday's lineup a few hours before the start of the game. The reason for his removal isn't yet clear, but Ryan Kreidler will take his place at shortstop and bat seventh.