MLB Player News

Witt went 1-for-3 with a walk, one RBI, two stolen bases and one run scored in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Blue Jays.

Witt's RBI single in the fifth inning produced the decisive run in the contest. He's gone 7-for-20 (.350) with three RBI and three steals over his last five games. He continues to hit well out of the No. 2 spot in the order, slashing .317/.367/.574 with four home runs, seven steals, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, eight doubles and three triples over 109 plate appearances. Witt's success has been a driving force behind the Royals' impressive 15-10 start to the campaign.

Meyers is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Meyers had started in each of the Astros' last three games, going 1-for-8 with a solo home run. He'll get a break for Thursday's series finale in Chicago while Mauricio Dubon picks up a start in center field.

Schreiber (2-0) pitched a perfect inning and was credited with the win Wednesday over the Blue Jays.

Schreiber was deemed the most effective reliever after Alec Marsh (elbow) exited the contest in the fifth inning and Angel Zerpa struggled in a 1.2-inning assignment. Schreiber has maintained scoreless outings in all but one of his appearances so far, pitching to a 0.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 8:3 K:BB across 12 innings. He's added two wins and seven holds while serving in a setup role. Schreiber doesn't have a clear path to saves with James McArthur emerging as the Royals' closer, but he's very clearly in the late-inning mix.

Abreu is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Cubs.

Abreu is on the bench for the third time in four games, with Jon Singleton getting the nod at first base in his place. It's clear at this point that Abreu's standing atop the depth chart is on thin ice, as the 37-year-old has followed up a disappointing 2023 campaign with an even more disastrous start to the 2024 season, as he's slashing .065/.132/.081 with a career-worst 25 percent strikeout rate across 68 plate appearances. First base/outfield prospect Joey Loperfido has gotten off to a hot start to the season at Triple-A Sugar Land and could soon be summoned to the big leagues if the Astros aren't confident in Abreu's ability to stage a turnaround and/or if Singleton proves to be a poor replacement for Abreu.

Crawford is expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 right oblique strain, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Crawford was a late scratch from Wednesday's lineup due to the injury and subsequent testing revealed the strain. It's the least severe grade of strain, so it's possible his stint on the IL will not be a lengthy one. Dylan Moore is making a second straight start at shortstop Thursday and Leonardo Rivas will replace Crawford on the roster.

Urias (wrist) will play third base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Rangers.

It's his first start since he exited the second game of Sunday's doubleheader versus the Rockies when he was hit by a pitch on the right wrist. However, the Mariners had faced two straight righties, so Urias might not have been in the lineup, anyway. He and his teammates will go up against southpaw Andrew Heaney on Thursday.

Crawford (oblique) remains out of the lineup for Thursday's contest against the Rangers.

Crawford had to be scratched from Wednesday's lineup with right oblique soreness and now will miss a second straight start. Infielder Leonardo Rivas has joined the Mariners on their taxi squad, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM, so it would appear possible that Crawford will require a stint on the injured list. Dylan Moore is handling shortstop Thursday.

Raleigh (mouth) will catch and bat third in Thursday's game versus the Rangers.

Raleigh had to miss Wednesday's contest following a dental procedure, but he'll be back in there for Thursday's series finale in Texas. The switch-hitting catcher enters play Thursday having homered in four of his last five games.

Topa (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Thursday, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

Topa has been out since late March with left patellar tendinitis but has been cleared to try things out in a game setting. The reliever presumably will need multiple rehab appearances before joining the Twins' bullpen.

Biggio is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the Royals.

With the Blue Jays and Royals concluding their series with a day game after a night game and with a southpaw (Cole Ragans) on the hill for Kansas City, the lefty-hitting Biggio will get the afternoon off. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will step in for Biggio at the keystone.