MLB Player News

The Angels acquired Lugo, infielder Niko Kavadas and right-handers Ryan Zeferjahn and Yeferson Vargas from the Red Sox on Tuesday in exchange for right-hander Luis Garcia, Sam Blum of The Athletic reports.

Lugo broke out in the upper levels of the minors this season, slashing .285/.375/.567 with 16 home runs, 16 steals, a 35.4 percent hard-hit rate and a 23.9 percent strikeout rate in 78 games across Double-A and Triple-A. A shortstop when he was selected in the second round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, Lugo has slid down the defensive spectrum and primarily played left field this season as a 23-year-old. Given that it would have been difficult for the right-handed hitter to get an opportunity as an everyday player in Boston anytime soon, this trade boosts his dynasty value slightly, as it should be easier for him to get a look on the second-division Angels.

Toro isn't in the Athletics' lineup versus the Giants on Tuesday.

Toro has an OPS of .432 since his return from a hamstring injury. As he continues to try and return to form, he will take a breather Tuesday. Brett Harris has the start at third base and is batting eighth.

The Blue Jays acquired McAdoo from the Pirates on Tuesday in exchange for infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (knee), Russell Dorsey of Yahoo Sports reports.

The Pirates sold high on McAdoo, as he was one of the top breakout hitters over the first four months of the minor-league season. He slashed .317/.394/.542 with 14 home runs, 17 steals and a 22.8 percent strikeout rate in 87 games across High-A and Double-A as a 22-year-old. McAdoo has big-time bat speed, but he's a better fantasy prospect than a real-life one, as his defensive home is still in question. He has shown good hands at third base this season, but could also end up at a corner-outfield spot if he loses any mobility.

The Angels placed Rendon on the 10-day injured list Tuesday, retroactive to July 27, due to lower-back inflammation.

The 34-year-old sat out Saturday and Sunday, so the injury presumably flared up during or after Friday's matchup with the A's. Rendon returned from a nearly three-month absence due to a hamstring strain in early July, but he played in just 14 games before going back on the injured list. It's unclear how long Rendon is expected to be sidelined this time around, but he'll be eligible to be reinstated Aug. 6.

Jung is batting seventh and starting at third base Tuesday against the Cardinals.

The Rangers are facing righty Lance Lynn, and perhaps Jung will bat higher in the order against lefties if he shows he's knocked all the rust off. Jung, who last played in the majors April 1 before needing surgery on a broken right wrist, slashed .296/.345/.333 with one double, nine strikeouts and zero walks in 27 at-bats during his rehab assignment. He was also hit by two pitches. Josh Smith, who played well in Jung's absence, is leading off as the designated hitter.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

Rojas will dodge a matchup with southpaw James Paxton on Tuesday. In his place, Dylan Moore will bat sixth and play third base.

Miranda (head) is batting cleanup and playing third base against the Mets on Tuesday.

Miranda was hit by a pitch in the head Sunday against Detroit, but after clearing concussion protocols and resting Monday, the 26-year-old is back in the Twins' starting nine. Miranda is amid a breakout year, logging a .884 OPS and a 13.5 percent strikeout rate.

Rojas went 2-for-3 with a walk in a loss to the Red Sox on Monday.

Rojas served up his first multi-hit effort since July 2 while also drawing his fourth walk in the last three games. The 30-year-old remains locked into a near-everyday role, and he's in the midst of a brief but promising upswing that's seen him produce a .286 average and .474 on-base percentage over his last five games.

Smith hit leadoff and started at third base in Monday's 6-3 win over St. Louis, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.

Smith was in the field at third base even though Josh Jung was activated off the 60-day injured list Monday. While that was surprising, so was Smith's slotting in the leadoff spot while Marcus Semien was dropped to third in the order. Texas manager Bruce Bochy told Kennedi Landry of MLB.com that the tweaked batting order was in relation to Jung's return. It's unclear if more tweaks are expected once Jung is in the starting lineup, or if the changes will be reflected against both right-handed and left-handed starters.

Garcia went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and two runs scored in Monday's 8-5 win over the White Sox.

Since Garcia was dropped from the leadoff spot July 7, he's batting .327 (16-for-49) with three extra-base hits and three steals over 15 contests. He's hit atop the order twice in that span, but has most often batted eighth and occasionally seventh. It appears he's doing more with less, and his speed makes him an interesting fantasy option even without the leadoff gig. Garcia has a career-high 24 steals to go with six home runs, 45 RBI, 64 runs scored, 18 doubles, five triples and a .238/.287/.350 slash line over 104 contests this season.