MLB Player News

Smith started at shortstop and went 1-for-2 with two walks in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to the Blue Jays.

Smith's single to lead off the bottom of the first inning was the Rangers' lone hit. His regular gig at shortstop should be coming to an end, as Corey Seager was activated off the injured list Wednesday. Seager served as the designated hitter and may be brought back slowly. Once Seager is deemed ready for playing the field, Smith could get opportunities in the outfield with Evan Carter (quadriceps) still on the injured list.

Seager (hamstring) served as the Rangers' designated hitter and went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Toronto.

Seager was activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday and was eased back into the lineup in a non-defensive role in his first game back. Despite tending to a calf injury late in spring training and having already landed on the IL on two occasions due to right hamstring strains, Seager has been the most productive hitter for a struggling Texas offense when he's been available, slashing .288/.333/.500 with six home runs in 27 games.

Witt went 1-for-2 with two RBI in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Reds.

It's been a quiet stretch at the plate by Witt, who's batting just .200 (11-for-55) with five RBI and two runs scored over his last 14 games. That said, the All-Star shortstop does have four doubles, two triples and six stolen bases during that period, so he's maintained healthy production in other departments. Witt also has 15 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in the month of May.

Bichette (back) hit a two-run home run in his lone at-bat during Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Rangers.

Bichette was held out of the lineup due to back tightness, but that didn't stop him from entering as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning and delivering a go-ahead shot to power the Blue Jays to victory. Although the 27-year-old shortstop's presence Wednesday doesn't necessarily guarantee he'll be in the starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Athletics, it was certainly an encouraging sign for his availability and an indication that the back issue isn't a serious concern.

Bichette is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against Texas due to lower-back tightness, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Manager John Schneider noted that Bichette may still be available off the bench Wednesday, so it doesn't seem like the 27-year-old infielder's injury is anything too severe. Michael Stefanic and Ernie Clement will make up the Jays' middle infield while Bichette recovers.

Wilson went 2-for-3 with an RBI double and a solo home run in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the Astros.

Wilson opened the scoring in the third inning with a two-out, two-strike double before launching his seventh homer of the year in the fifth. The 23-year-old Wilson has been on fire of late, going 15-for-33 (.455) in his last nine games. He's now slashing .353/.396/.512 with 30 RBI, 30 runs scored and four stolen bases across 223 plate appearances in his rookie campaign.

Bichette isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The Blue Jays will give Bichette a chance to regroup Wednesday, as the 27-year-old has slashed just .163/.217/.186 in 46 plate appearances across his last 10 games. Ernie Clement will start at shortstop instead, opening up second base for Michael Stefanic.

Seager (hamstring) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the Blue Jays.

Seager has been idle since May 11 due to a right hamstring strain, and after a brief stint on the injured list, he's been cleared to rejoin the active roster. The Rangers optioned Blaine Crim to Triple-A Round Rock in a corresponding move. Seager is slashing .300/.346/.520 with six homers, 15 runs and 12 RBI over 107 plate appearances this season.

Pena went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and two runs scored in Tuesday's 11-1 victory over the Athletics.

Pena took advantage of the short porch in left field at Daikin Park, golfing a two-run homer off JP Sears in the second inning. The shortstop had been slumping at the plate entering Tuesday's game, slashing .206/.357/.265 with just one extra-base hit in his previous 10 contests. Still, Pena has been terrific this season, slashing .298/.362/.449 with 16 extra-base hits across 205 at-bats in 54 games.

Seager (hamstring) will be activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday against the Blue Jays, Jeff Wilson of AllDLLS.com reports.

He faced live pitching over the weekend and was expected to be activated sometime during this series against Toronto. It was the second hamstring-related IL stint for Seager this season.