• Getting day off Wednesday
    Grissom is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Rays.

    Advice: Grissom had started each of the previous eight contests and nine of 10 games since returning from the injured list, but he'll begin Wednesday's game on the bench as the Red Sox square off against Taj Bradley and the Rays. The 23-year-old has gotten off to a slow start, going just 5-for-37 with a 7:0 K:BB. David Hamilton will draw a start at second base Wednesday. Rotowire.com 15 minutes ago
     
  • Cleared for activity
    Walls (hip) reported to the Rays' spring training facility in Port Charlotte, Fla. earlier this week and will go through workouts for the next 10-to-14 days before beginning a rehab assignment, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

    Advice: According to Topkin, Walls will be going through a modified version of his own spring training while he builds up stamina and stacks up at-bats as he works his way back from the surgery he required last October to address a labral tear in his right hip. The Rays opted to shut Walls down in late April for two weeks after he experienced renewed inflammation in his hip, and the 27-year-old seemingly responded well to the extra time off. Since he's been on the injured list all season, Walls will presumably in store for an extended minor-league rehab assignment, making it unlikely that he's activated before the end of May. Whenever he's ready to go, Walls could threaten Jose Caballero for everyday duties at shortstop. Rotowire.com 34 minutes ago
    Taylor WallsTB - 2B,3B,SS
    4:10 pm @BOS
     
  • Five innings on defense Tuesday
    Diaz (calf) started at third base and played five innings in Triple-A Las Vegas' win over El Paso on Tuesday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI single.

    Advice: Diaz picked up the first hit of his three-game rehab stint on his final at-bat of the evening, and he took another step in the right direction by logging five frames on defense for the second straight game. The veteran is likely to continue taking a day off between appearances for the moment as his ramp-up following a long layoff continues. Rotowire.com 40 minutes ago
    Aledmys DíazOAK - 1B,2B,3B,SS,OF
    5:10 pm @HOU
     
  • J.P. Crawford likely to be activated Friday
    J.P. Crawford is likely to come off the I.L. on Friday after one more rehab game on Wednesday.

    Advice: Crawford went 1-for-4 in his first game for Triple-A Tacoma last night. The shortstop is returning from a strained oblique muscle. The Mariners will likely demote Leo Rivas when Crawford is activated. Rotoworld 44 minutes ago
    J.P. CrawfordSEA - SS
    1:10 pm vs KC
     
  • Eyeing weekend return
    Mariners manager Scott Servais said Crawford (oblique) will play another rehab game for Triple-A Tacoma before likely returning from the 10-day injured list ahead of this weekend's series in Baltimore, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

    Advice: Crawford, who has been on the shelf since April 25 with a Grade 1 right oblique strain, kicked off his rehab assignment Tuesday, going 1-for-4 in Tacoma's 8-5 win over Salt Lake while playing seven innings at shortstop. Assuming Crawford feels fine physically coming out of his second rehab outing, he should be ready to rejoin the big club this weekend and settle back in as the team's everyday shortstop. Dylan Moore will shift back into a utility role once Crawford is back with the team. Rotowire.com 47 minutes ago
    J.P. CrawfordSEA - SS
    1:10 pm vs KC
     
  • Not in Wednesday's lineup
    Merrill is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Rockies.

    Advice: The Rockies are sending southpaw Austin Gomber to the hill, so Padres manager Mike Shildt decided it would be a good day to give the left-handed-hitting Merrill a breather. Jose Azocar will patrol center field Wednesday. Rotowire.com Today, 10:24 am
     
  • Elly De La Cruz sits for first time this season
    Elly De La Cruz is absent from the Reds lineup Wednesday for the first time this season.

    Advice: No word of any injury, and we’re going to assume this was a planned day off. Spencer Steer got one yesterday, and he also had been in the lineup every game this season. The Reds have Santiago Espinal at shortstop today. Rotoworld Today, 10:20 am
  • CJ Abrams sits against tough lefty
    Like the rest of the Nationals’ lefty hitters, CJ Abrams is on the bench for Wednesday’s game against Garrett Crochet and the White Sox.

    Advice: It makes for a weird lineup, as Ildemaro Vargas is playing left field and batting third and Rule 5 pick Nasim Nuñez is making just his second start of the year. It’s the first time Abrams has sat since Apr. 8, when he was dealing with hand soreness. Rotoworld Today, 10:16 am
     
  • Receives first day off
    De La Cruz is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Arizona.

    Advice: For the first time all season, De La Cruz will exit the starting nine for what looks to be a routine maintenance day before the Reds continue their road trip Thursday in Los Angeles. Santiago Espinal will step in at shortstop in place of De La Cruz, who has slowed down a bit at the plate of late with two hits and six strikeouts in 14 at-bats over his last three games. Rotowire.com Today, 10:14 am