MLB Player News

Duran replaced Josh Jung at third base Wednesday after the latter was hit by a pitch on the hand. Duran went 0-for-2 and was caught stealing in a 5-3 loss to the Reds.

X-rays on Jung's hand came back negative for a fracture, and the Rangers are describing the injury as a contusion. That suggests his absence will be minimal. The Rangers begin a series against the Yankees on Thursday and face New York right-hander Gerrit Cole (4-0, 0.79 ERA). If Jung is unable to go, the righty-hitting Duran and lefty-swinging Brad Miller are options for the hot corner.

Smith went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and an additional run scored Wednesday in a loss to the Angels.

The Athletics were routed in the contest, but Smith had a productive performance with his second homer and second multi-hit effort of the campaign. The infielder has started each of the first three games in the series against the Angels, going 4-for-10 with a pair of homers and four RBI.

Crawford went 3-for-4 with a double and a grand slam in Wednesday's loss to Philadelphia.

Crawford led off back-to-back home runs in the second inning, hitting a grand slam off Taijuan Walker that was followed up by a Julio Rodriguez solo homer. Crawford was as productive as a nine-hole hitter could be Wednesday, coming up just a triple shy of the cycle after hitting a single in the seventh and a double in the ninth. The shortstop has been quite productive in 2023 with a .271/.407/.414 slash line to pair with 14 runs scored in 87 plate appearances.

Anderson (knee) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte this weekend, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

After landing on the 10-day injured list April 11, Anderson now appears ready to return to game action. If all goes well in Charlotte, the veteran shortstop could be activated ahead of Chicago's series against Minnesota on Tuesday. Anderson was slashing .298/.327/.404 before spraining his left knee.

Bichette went 3-for-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in Wednesday's 8-0 win over the White Sox.

Bichette drove in runs with all three of his hits Wednesday -- two RBI singles and a solo homer off Jimmy Lambert in the seventh inning. The 25-year-old Bichette had cooled off after a hot start to the season, going 8-for-38 with just one extra-base hit in his previous 10 games. He's still slashing an outstanding .340/.381/.528 with five home runs, 15 RBI and 15 runs scored through 113 plate appearances this year.

Volpe went 2-for-3 with two walks, a two-run double, three runs scored and an additional RBI in Wednesday's 12-6 win over the Twins.

Volpe struck out in his first plate appearance, but he smacked an RBI single his next time up and hit a two-run double in his third at-bat. He came around to score after both of those base knocks and notched a third run after walking in the eighth and scoring on a DJ LeMahieu sacrifice fly. It's been a mixed bag for Volpe to start his big-league career, but he's hit safely in six of his last eight, recording three multi-hit games and five RBI during that stretch.

Baez was diagnosed with a left hand contusion after being hit by a pitch in the left hand in the first inning of Wednesday's game against the Brewers, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

He was immediately lifted from the game after being hit in his first at-bat, but fortunately for the shortstop, X-rays on his hand returned negative. Baez, who had slashed .361/.400/.444 over his previous 10 games entering play Wednesday, could return to the lineup for Thursday's series opener versus the Orioles if his hand isn't too sore.

Baez left Wednesday's game against the Brewers in the first inning after being struck in the base of his left hand by a pitch, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Baez took a 93-mile-per-hour fastball from Freddy Peralta off his hand and was replaced by Jonathan Schoop, who entered the game as a pinch runner. Beck notes that Baez injured his middle finger on the same hand just a few days earlier, but the injury he sustained Wednesday could be of greater magnitude. Expect Baez to undergo X-rays later Wednesday as the Tigers look to determine whether he suffered a fracture.

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

Duran has hit .400 with four extra-base hits over his last seven games while also adding two stolen bases during that span, so manager Bruce Bochy could have a tough time justifying keeping the 23-year-old out of the lineup moving forward if he continues to produce. For the time being, Duran should at least have a path to a regular role versus left-handed pitching.

Crawford went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a steal in Tuesday's victory over Philadelphia.

Crawford extended Seattle's lead to 2-0 with an RBI single in the fifth inning. He'd reach base again with a two-out walk in the seventh before swiping his first base of the season. Crawford has hit safely in three straight games after going 0-for-7 in his previous four contests. He's slashing .242/.390/.333 with six doubles, four RBI and 13 runs scored while hitting at the bottom of the Mariners' lineup.