MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for the nightcap of Monday's doubleheader in Miami.

The 24-year-old went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in the afternoon game and is an unimpressive 2-for-14 since the beginning of September. Kole Calhoun and Bubba Thompson will man the outfield corners Monday night.

Fletcher (hand) isn't starting Monday against Cleveland.

Fletcher is out of the lineup for a second consecutive game due to a right hand contusion. Luis Rengifo is starting at second base in place of Fletcher, who noted that he's still dealing with some soreness with the hand that provides complications when he grips the bat, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Fletcher is thus unlikely to be available Monday in a pinch-hitting capacity, though because his hand isn't bothering him when he throws, he could be deployed as a late-inning defensive replacement.

Franco is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Franco is on the bench for the series opener for maintenance purposes after the star infielder returned to action over the weekend following a two-month stint on the injured list. Taylor Walls will step in at shortstop for Franco, who went 4-for-11 with two doubles, three RBI and two runs in his first three games back in the Tampa Bay lineup.

The Red Sox claimed Chang off waivers from the Rays on Monday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Before Tampa Bay designated him for assignment over the weekend, Chang's most recent action actually came against the Red Sox on Sept. 6, when he went 2-for-3 with a home run and walk. The righty-hitting infielder slashed .216/.280/.324 through 164 total plate appearances on the season, and he's unlikely to serve as anything more than a short-side platoon player in Boston for the remainder of 2022. Since he doesn't have minor-league options remaining, Boston will need to add him to its 28-man active roster.

The Rangers promoted Saggese to Double-A Frisco on Monday, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

With High-A Hickory's season coming to an end over the weekend, Saggese and outfield prospect Evan Carter will receive cups of coffee down the stretch for Frisco, where both players are likely to open the 2023 campaign. Saggese, a 20-year-old infielder, slashed .308/.359/.487 with 14 home runs and 11 stolen bases across 419 plate appearances for Hickory.

Seager went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Seager's run was his 79th of the season, leaving him five behind Marcus Semien for the team lead. Though he's batting a career-worst .248 in his first season in Texas, Seager has enjoyed good health in 2022 and has lived up to expectations from a counting-stats perspective with 29 home runs, 74 RBI and three stolen bases to go along with his run total. He's included in the lineup for the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Marlins, starting at shortstop while batting second.

Smith will start in left field and bat eighth in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Marlins.

After receiving a promotion from Triple-A Round Rock on Thursday, Smith has stepped in as the Rangers' new everyday left fielder while Kole Calhoun has moved into a bench role. Even with a lefty (Trevor Rogers) taking the hill for Miami in Game 1, the lefty-hitting Smith will draw his fourth consecutive start after going 2-for-10 with a run scored in the Rangers' three-game series with Toronto over the weekend.

Story was removed from Sunday's game against the Orioles in the bottom of the seventh inning due to left heel pain, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

Story grounded into a double play to end the top of the seventh inning, and he was replaced defensively to begin the bottom half of the frame. Prior to his departure, he went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He'll be able to rest during Boston's scheduled day off Monday, and it's not yet clear whether he'll be available for Tuesday's series opener against the Yankees.

Anderson is scheduled to meet with a hand specialist Tuesday, at which point the White Sox could have a better sense of if or when he'll return this season, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

Anderson underwent surgery on his left hand Aug. 11 and is now four weeks into what was expected to be a six-week recovery period. His upcoming meeting with a specialist should determine whether that six-week timeline remains in place, and if Anderson receives a positive evaluation, he could be cleared to resume light baseball activities. Elvis Andrus has taken over as the White Sox's everyday shortstop while Anderson has been on the mend from the surgery.

Lopez was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Lopez was recalled Friday to give the Blue Jays another hitter with Teoscar Hernandez away from the team, but he will head back to Buffalo with Hernandez returning to action Sunday.