MLB Player News

The Royals optioned Alexander to Triple-A Omaha on Friday.

Alexander appeared in four games with Kansas City after being called up June 24 but went 1-for-8 with three strikeouts during that stretch. He'll give up his spot on the active roster to Adam Frazier (thumb), who's being reinstated from the IL.

Smith is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Tampa Bay.

Smith will get a rare day off after making 13 consecutive starts. Jonathan Ornelas will bat ninth and play third base for Friday's series opener. Over his last four games, Smith is 6-for-16 with two runs and two RBI. Per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com, manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Smith felt a bit of discomfort after his last plate appearance Thursday night but didn't offer any specifics on Smith's health.

The Reds selected Rios' contract from Triple-A Louisville on Friday, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Rios has been at Louisville all season, where he's put up an .826 OPS with 11 home runs over 50 contests. The 30-year-old is capable of handling the corner infield and corner outfield spots, but it seems unlikely he'll garner much playing time with Cincinnati.

Vientos is out of the lineup for Friday's game against Pittsburgh.

After making 10 consecutive starts at third base, Vientos will take a seat for Friday's series opener. Jose Iglesias will bat seventh and play third base.

Rivera is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the White Sox.

Rivera had made four consecutive starts at third base, but he'll take a seat for Friday's series opener. In his stead, Jake Burger will play third base and bat sixth.

Solano went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a run and an RBI against the Rangers in Thursday's 3-1 victory.

Solano opened the scoring in the contest with an RBI double in the fourth inning. He finished with his second three-hit performance of the campaign, and he's collected multiple knocks in five of his past nine games. Solano is slashing a robust .382/.417/.471 with five RBI and six runs over that stretch.

The Angels placed Rengifo on the 10-day injured list Friday with right wrist inflammation.

It appears an MRI cleared Rengifo of any structural damage in the wrist, but with the All-Star break looming, the Angels have opted to go ahead and put the super utility player on the IL. Rengifo will be eligible for activation on July 14, the last day of the first half, but realistically he'll probably be held out at least through the break. He had been seeing most of his playing time lately at third base, and that position now figures to be occupied mostly by Miguel Sano.

Rengifo (wrist) remains out of the lineup for Friday's game versus the Cubs, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The Angels are still waiting on the results of an MRI on Rengifo's wrist, which he injured during Wednesday's game against the Athletics. He's currently listed as a reserve on the team's lineup card, but Keston Hiura has been added to the taxi squad and could replace Rengifo on the active roster, depending on the latter's test results.

Smith batted leadoff and went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 3-1 loss to San Diego.

Smith was moved up to leadoff, as a slumping Marcus Semien was given a rare day off. Smith continues to be a surprise and leads the Rangers with a 2.7 WAR. He should continue to see regular work at third base with Josh Jung (wrist) not expected to return until after the All-Star break.

Sosa went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an RBI single during Thursday's 8-4 loss to Cleveland.

Sosa logged multiple hits for a fifth straight outing, saving the streak with a solo homer in the ninth inning off Nick Sandlin. The 24-year-old Sosa had gone yard only twice in his first 38 games, but he has matched that number during the hit streak. Sosa is slashing .252/.287/.392 over 151 plate appearances this season.