MLB Player News

Smith entered Wednesday's game as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth inning and went 1-for-1 with a double and an RBI in a 5-4 win over Detroit.

Smith, who was held out of the starting lineup against a left-hander, got the call to pinch hit with runners on against righty Shelby Miller and delivered the game-deciding run. It's not surprising that Smith came through, as he's gone 7-for-13 with 10 RBI with runners in scoring position in 2024. He's performed better than expected in a fill-in role while Josh Jung (thumb) is unavailable, slashing .319/.418/.404 over 55 plate appearances. Seasoned fantasy managers should be aware Smith's .366 BABIP indicates a correction is coming. Over two previous MLB seasons, he slashed .191/.306/.287.

Rojas entered Wednesday's win over the Reds as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the game at third base, going 1-for-2 with a solo home run.

Rojas immediately delivered upon being inserted into the game to lead off the seventh, slugging a solo blast for his first home run of the season and extending the Mariners' lead to 3-1 at the time. The 29-year-old has now hit safely in five straight games, and with a .343 average and .896 OPS overall this year, he's clearly been one of the most productive hitters in a collection of mostly underachieving Seattle bats.

Garcia isn't in the Royals' lineup for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Garcia turned in an 0-for-4 performance during Wednesday's early game, so he'll remain in the dugout for the nightcap. Nick Loftin will fill in at the hot corner and bat sixth.

Manager Alex Cora said Devers (knee) will serve as the Red Sox's designated hitter in Wednesday's contest versus the Guardians, Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald reports.

Devers was removed from Tuesday's 10-7 loss to Cleveland due to left knee soreness, but he's feeling better than expected a day later and will be available Wednesday in a non-defensive role. He should be ready to return to third base in a day or two.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said in an interview on WEEI that Devers (knee) is feeling better and could be ready to play Wednesday versus the Guardians, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Devers had to depart Tuesday's game against Cleveland with left knee discomfort, but it sounds like he's avoided a serious injury. The Red Sox should reveal their lineup shortly, so it will be known soon enough whether Devers is fully cleared.

Rojas is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Reds.

The lefty-hitting Rojas will make his way to the bench after starting each of the last three games while the Reds bring southpaw Andrew Abbott to the hill for the series finale. Platoon mate Luis Urias will check in for Rojas at third base.

Hernaiz will start at third base and bat sixth Wednesday against the Cardinals.

Though he's drawing a start at the hot corner in the series finale, Hernaiz appears to have leapfrogged Nick Allen on the depth chart at shortstop. Hernaiz will be making his fifth straight start and his seventh in eight games, despite having recorded just two hits through his first 26 at-bats in the majors. Hernaiz remains one of the top positional prospects in the organization, so he could continue to play regularly while the 7-11 Athletics don't fancy themselves as contenders.

Kiner-Falefa is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Yankees.

Kiner-Falefa will get a breather after he made starts at either third base or second base in each of Toronto's last five games. Cavan Biggio will get the nod at the hot corner Wednesday while Davis Schneider mans the keystone.

Sosa is out of the lineup for the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Royals.

Sosa will likely start in the second game of the twin bill, but he'll give way to Braden Shewmake at third base in the opening contest of the day. Since Yoan Moncada (adductor) was placed on the injured list earlier this month, Sosa has settled in as Chicago's primary option at the hot corner. He had started each of the White Sox's last six games, going 3-for-23 with a pair of doubles, a walk, an RBI and two runs.

Moncada (adductor) plans to head to extended spring training in the coming days to continue his rehab, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Moncada is just over a week removed from suffering a left adductor strain but is already feeling much better. The process will be deliberate, though, as he's on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to return to action until around the All-Star break.