MLB Player News

Smith (ankle) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

Smith has been sidelined with a right ankle sprain since mid-July but has now been cleared to return to game action with the minor-league club. The Mets recently acquired Daniel Vogelbach and Tyler Naquin, so it's not yet clear whether Smith will have a regular role with the big-league squad once he's deemed fully healthy.

Voit will start at first base and bat third in Thursday's game against the Phillies.

The lone veteran the Nationals took back as part of the six-player haul they received Tuesday in the deal that sent Juan Soto and Josh Bell to the Padres, Voit will be making his Washington debut Thursday. Though he's 31 years old and doesn't necessarily fit in with the 36-70 Nationals' long-term rebuilding plan, Voit is under club control through 2024 and is expected to be a key cog in the lineup for the time being. Manager Dave Martinez confirmed Wednesday that Voit will be the Nationals' first baseman or designated hitter for the rest of the season while slotting into the heart of the order, according to Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com.

Bell went 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs in Wednesday's 9-1 win over the Rockies.

Each of San Diego's three offensive trade-deadline acquisitions -- Bell, Juan Soto and Brandon Drury -- who played in the contest reached base multiple times, though Bell was the only one among them who didn't record a hit. Still, he made an impact by drawing two free passes and scoring twice. Bell figures to settle into an everyday role at first base for the Padres and is enjoying a solid season with a .300/.385/.491 slash line, 14 homers and 57 RBI.

Cronenworth isn't starting Thursday against the Rockies, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Cronenworth has been hot at the plate recently, going 7-for-15 with two homers, six RBI and four runs over the last five games. However, he'll get a breather while Brandon Drury starts at the keystone and bats fifth.

Alonso went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and two total runs scored in Wednesday's 9-5 victory over the Nationals.

Alonso launched a two-run homer in the third inning that scored Francisco Lindor. The first baseman then came around to score on Daniel Vogelbach's grand slam in the fifth inning. The home run was Alonso's 28th of the year, good for fifth most in the majors. The slugger already has two home runs in three August games after hitting four in July. After Wednesday's performance, he is slashing .276/.354/.547.

Cronenworth went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run, two total runs and three total RBI in Wednesday's 9-1 victory over Colorado.

Cronenworth was credited with an RBI as a result of being hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the first inning. He later accounted for the Padres' final runs with his two-run shot to right field in the fifth. Cronenworth reached base 11 times in 17 plate appearances while recording two homers and five RBI over the four-game set versus the Rockies.

Cronenworth went 3-for-6 with three walks and a two-run home run across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader against Colorado.

Much of Cronenworth's production game in Game 1, when he slugged a two-run homer and got on base four times. The infielder reached twice more in the nightcap to round out a big day at the plate. Cronenworth has reached base in nine straight contests and is slashing .276/.475/.379 with a 10:6 BB:K over that stretch.

Cooper (wrist) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. He'll start at first base and bat second in the Marlins' series finale with the Reds.

Cooper appeared in a rehab game at Single-A Jupiter on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk. The 31-year-old will rejoin the Marlins after a minimal IL stint and should see regular playing time now that he's back to full health.

The Brewers recalled Hiura from Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday.

Though Hiura will be back to provide the Brewers with another right-handed-hitting option off the bench, he might not be guaranteed a short-side platoon role. Albeit in a limited sample, Hiura has been far more effective against righties (.453 wOBA, 194 wRC+ in 79 plate appearances) than lefties (.238 wOBA, 48 wRC+ in 65 plate appearances) during his time with the big club this season.

Voit isn't starting Wednesday against the Mets.

Voit was dealt from the Padres to the Nationals on Tuesday, but he won't be in Washington's starting lineup a day later. According to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post, Voit isn't yet in Washington and will instead join the team in Philadelphia for its upcoming four-game series with the Phillies, so he could make his Nationals debut as soon as Thursday. Joey Meneses will pick up a start at first base in Voit's stead Wednesday.