MLB Player News

Smith went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Friday's win over the Phillies.

The 30-year-old got hold of a splitter up in the zone from Taijuan Walker in the third inning, giving Smith his fourth homer of the season. He's put together a blistering start to the season as Atlanta's primary DH against right-handed pitching, slashing .362/.380/.660 over 50 plate appearances with 10 runs and 16 RBI, but Smith's playing time will likely take a hit once Sean Murphy (hip) is cleared to come off the IL.

Steer isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game versus Minnesota.

Steer will catch a breather Saturday after going 0-for-5 with a pair of strikeouts across his last two games. While he sits, Will Benson, TJ Friedl and Rece Hinds will form Cincinnati's outfield trio.

Walker (1-3) took the loss Friday as the Phillies were routed 9-0 by Atlanta, coughing up seven runs on seven hits and three walks over four innings. He struck out four.

The right-hander served up homers to Austin Riley in the second inning and Dominic Smith in the third, the second time in four starts that Walker has been taken deep multiple times. It's been a brutal beginning to the year for the 33-year-old, and he carries a 9.16 ERA, 2.04 WHIP and 16:10 K:BB through 18.2 innings. Zack Wheeler (shoulder) will make what could be his final rehab start Sunday, but that schedule would allow Walker to get one more turn through the rotation on the road next week against the Cubs before being replaced.

Horwitz went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a walk Friday against the Rays.

Horwitz opened up the scoring with an RBI double in the second inning and proceeded to get on base three additional times. He has started every game against right-handed pitchers this season, and he's gone 9-for-26 with one home run, two RBI and five runs scored across his last 10 games.

The Dodgers are expected to recall Ward from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.

Ward first reached the Triple-A level in 2023 and has seen his OPS increase in every season he's been at Oklahoma City. After beginning the 2026 campaign by slashing .324/.432/.588 through 81 plate appearances, the 28-year-old will finally get the call to join the big-league roster for the first time. He's spent most of his time in the outfield throughout his professional career but has primarily played at first base this season. It's unlikely he sees regular playing time with the Dodgers, but he could make an occasional start if Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez or Kyle Tucker need a day off.

Freeman went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and a run scored in Friday's 7-1 win over the Rockies.

A doubles machine, Freeman doubled in the top of the first inning for his seventh two-bagger of the young season. Freeman has led the league in doubles four times in his career. The 36-year-old is now slashing .282/.341/.487 with three home runs, 14 RBI, nine runs scored and a 6:10 BB:K across 85 plate appearances.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said Friday that the Mets are awaiting the results of an MRI on Polanco's right wrist as the veteran infielder remains sidelined due to a sore Achilles, Max Goodman of NJ.com reports.

Mendoza said that Polanco is in a "better place" with the left Achilles issue he's been battling, but now he has a new injury to deal with. There's a good chance Polanco will be placed on the 10-day injured list, but the club will make that decision after the imaging results come in. If Polanco does have to miss additional time, MJ Melendez could get regular starts at designated hitter against righties, while Ronny Mauricio would be a candidate to return to the big-league roster.

Polanco (Achilles) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.

Polanco has battled nagging bursitis in his left Achilles and will miss a second straight start. The Mets have not ruled out placing the veteran on the injured list, but no move was made prior to Friday's afternoon contest at Wrigley Field. MJ Melendez will occupy the designated hitter slot and Brett Baty will play first base in the series opener.

O'Hearn is not in the lineup for Thursday's game versus the Nationals.

The left-handed-hitting O'Hearn has been getting an opportunity to play against most lefties this season, but he'll begin this one on the bench as the Nationals send southpaw Foster Griffin to the hill. Jake Mangum will occupy right field and bat leadoff for the Pirates.

Stewart went 2-for-4 with two home runs and six RBI in Wednesday's win over the Giants.

Stewart delivered the biggest game of his young career, launching two three-run homers in the first two innings to put Cincinnati firmly in control. His first long ball gave the Reds an immediate lead in the first, and he followed it up an inning later with another three-run shot off Tyler Mahle to break the game open. It was Stewart's first career multi-homer game, and his six RBI set a career high. The 22-year-old continues to be one of baseball's breakout stars early on, batting .323 while ranking near the top of the league in home runs (seven), slugging percentage (.726) and OPS (1.160) through 18 games.