MLB Player News
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Josh H. Smith 3B | TEX
Rangers' Josh Smith: Smacks walk-off homer
Smith went 1-for-5 with a two-run homer in Monday's 4-3 victory over Houston.
The Texas utility man won the game in the 10th inning with his 410-foot, two-run homer off lefty reliever Caleb Ferguson. This is Smith's first extra-base hit since taking over the leadoff spot from Marcus Semien on July 29. In seven games since then, the 26-year-old is batting .233 (7-for-30) with eight strikeouts and no walks. Overall, Smith is now slashing .278/.369/.442 with 12 homers, seven steals, 50 runs scored and 48 RBI across 408 plate appearances.
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Jose Ramirez 3B | CLE
Guardians' Jose Ramirez: Has three hits, two steals in loss
Ramirez went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, two runs and two stolen bases in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Diamondbacks.
Ramirez had himself another impressive showing, tallying three more hits in what is now his seventh multi-hit game since the All-Star break. His RBI double in the first inning was his 25th of the season, making it his fifth season with 25 doubles and 25 home runs, which is tied for fourth most in franchise history. The 31-year-old is in the midst of yet another impressive all-around campaign hitting .282/.334/.545 with 29 homers, 94 RBI and 24 stolen bases through 109 games.
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Brooks Lee SS | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: Dealing with shoulder soreness
Lee is dealing with right shoulder soreness, leading to his absence from the lineup for a second straight day Monday against the Cubs, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.
Lee was on the bench for Sunday's series finale with the White Sox and he'll sit Monday as well, which is now understood to be the result of some lingering shoulder soreness. On the bright side, manager Rocco Baldelli said Monday that Lee could have started the series opener versus the Cubs, so he'll likely be back in action soon.
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Abraham Toro 3B | OAK
Athletics' Abraham Toro: Idle Monday
Toro is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the White Sox.
After starting four consecutive games, Toro will take a seat Monday against rookie starter Ky Bush and the White Sox. Darell Hernaiz will fill the hot corner and bat eighth.
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Ezequiel Duran 3B | TEX
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Back on bench in Langford's return
Duran is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Astros.
Duran had started in each of the last three games, but with Wyatt Langford (back) returning to action as the Rangers' designated hitter following a two-game absence, Duran will retreat to the bench. Now that the Rangers are at full strength in the infield and outfield save for Evan Carter (back) -- who is out for the season -- Duran will likely be relegated to a short-side platoon role.
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Paul DeJong 3B | KC
Royals' Paul DeJong: Resting Monday
DeJong is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.
DeJong had started in three consecutive games, going 3-for-11 with a home run and four RBI during that stretch. However, he'll give way to Maikel Garcia at third base Monday.
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Brooks Lee SS | MIN
Twins' Brooks Lee: On bench again
Lee is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cubs.
Lee started in 24 consecutive games after being called up from Triple-A St. Paul, but he's been out of the starting nine in consecutive games, with both absences coming against righties. Austin Martin will cover second base once again and may have vaulted ahead of Lee on the depth chart while the latter player has slashed .174/.259/.174 over his last seven games.
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Royce Lewis 3B | MIN
Twins' Royce Lewis: Goes deep, drives in three
Lewis went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer, three runs scored and a walk in Sunday's win over the White Sox.
Lewis belted a three-run shot during the Twins' six-run second inning. It was his 13th home run of the season and third in nine games since returning from the injured list. Lewis owns an impressive .288/.370/.686 slash line with 21 extra-base hits and 28 RBI through 135 plate appearances. He's up to 30 homers in 103 career MLB contests.
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Jose Ramirez 3B | CLE
Guardians' Jose Ramirez: Swipes two bags Sunday
Ramirez went 2-for-5 with two stolen bases and a run scored in Sunday's 9-5 loss to the Orioles.
Ramirez has gone 11-for-29 (.379) with five home runs, 11 RBI and four steals over his last eight games. He's been held hitless just once in that span. The third baseman continues to do it all for the Guardians -- in addition to his 29 homers and 22 steals, he's slashing .277/.329/.541 with 93 RBI and 84 runs scored over 108 contests. If he continues to run with some regularity, he has a chance to earn the second 30-30 campaign of his career.