MLB Player News

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Smith was busy in the Red Sox's 14-2 win Thursday, reaching base safely four times. He'll get the day off against lefty Garrett Crochet, with Bobby Dalbec filling in at first base and batting eighth.

Gallo is absent from the lineup for Friday's game against Atlanta.

Gallo started against a lefty earlier this week, but he will begin Friday's game on the bench as Atlanta turns to southpaw Chris Sale as its starting pitcher. Joey Meneses will start at first base for the Nationals.

Horwitz is expected to join the Blue Jays in Oakland on Friday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.

He will presumably be added to the roster, although it's unclear what the corresponding transaction will be. Horwitz has been on fire of late at Triple-A Buffalo, going 16-for-36 with a pair of home runs. He's also played mostly second base over that stretch, and that could be a path to playing time for him with the big club if the Jays would prefer to use Davis Schneider more in left field. Horwitz could also fill in at first base if Vladimir Guerrero sees more time across the diamond at third.

Freeman went 1-for-4 with a three-run home run in Thursday's 11-7 win over Pittsburgh.

Freeman helped Los Angeles' offense get off to a fast start with his three-run blast in the first inning. The long ball extended his modest hitting streak to five games, during which he has slashed .389/.455/.889 with two homers, five RBI, five runs and two steals. Freeman has four home runs over his past 15 contests, matching the amount of homers he hit across his initial 49 games of the campaign.

Guerrero went 2-for-3 with a walk and a three-run home run in Thursday's win over the Orioles.

The first baseman opened the scoring by launching a cutter from Cade Povich over the right-field fence in the third inning. Guerrero has gone yard twice in the last four games, giving him seven homers on the year. Over the last 15 contests he's slashing .345/.433/.552.

Encarnacion-Strand (wrist) had a follow-up exam with Reds doctors Wednesday, and he was cleared to take the next step in his rehab, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

While that would seem to be good news for Encarnacion-Strand, who was diagnosed with a right ulnar styloid fracture May 8, he opted to get a second opinion, putting his rehab on hold for the moment. At the time of his diagnosis, Encarnacion-Strand was given a four-to-six week recovery timeline.

Vaughn went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 14-2 loss to the Red Sox.

Vaughn has hit safely in his last six games, going 8-for-23 (.348) in that span. He dealt with a sprained left ring finger to begin June, but it hasn't slowed him down since he was cleared to return. The first baseman is up to five homers on the year with 20 RBI, 17 runs scored, one stolen base and a .211/.275/.338 slash line through 233 plate appearances.

Smith went 3-for-5 with two RBI, one walk and one run scored in Thursday's 14-2 win over the White Sox.

Smith has three multi-hit efforts over his last six contests since getting a rest day last Thursday. He's also picked up at least one RBI in five of those six games. The 28-year-old is up to a .232/.321/.343 slash line with two home runs, 18 RBI, nine runs scored and no stolen bases over 112 plate appearances since he signed with Boston following his release from Tampa Bay at the start of May. Smith has settled into a strong-side platoon role at first base.

The Rockies recalled Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday

With Kris Bryant (ribs) and Sean Bouchard (foot) headed to the injured list, the Rockies will call upon Toglia to add depth to their depleted outfield group. The 25-year-old owns a .505 OPS through 49 plate appearances in the big leagues this season, but he's slashed .277/.363/.571 with nine homers and 27 RBI since being sent down to Triple-A in late April.

The Rockies placed Bryant on the 10-day injured list Thursday with a left rib contusion.

Bryant missed three games in a row due to back soreness, but the Rockies are now reporting his injury to be rib related. The 32-year-old missed a month earlier in the season due to a back/rib issue, though the current injury is likely to require a shorter stint on the shelf. Greg Jones was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move.