MLB Player News
-
Yu Chang SS | TB
Red Sox's Yu Chang: Needs hamate surgery, out six weeks
The Red Sox placed Chang on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a left hamate fracture. He's scheduled to undergo surgery and Thursday and is expected to miss around six weeks, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
The injury Chang suffered in Monday's game against the Orioles comes at an unfortunate time, as he had recently carved out a regular role at shortstop for the Red Sox. With Chang now headed for surgery, Enrique Hernandez is expected to move over from second base to take on the bulk of the starts at shortstop. Christian Arroyo and Triple-A Worcester call-up Enmanuel Valdez are the primary candidates to pick up reps at the keystone.
-
Kevin Smith DH | NYY
Athletics' Kevin Smith: Blasts three-run homer Monday
Smith went 1-for-2 with a three-run home run in an extra-inning win over the Angels on Monday.
The Athletics' offense finally had a breakout night in the new season, and Smith followed teammates Brent Rooker and Jesus Aguilar in leaving the yard early in the contest. Rooker's 385-foot shot to left in the second inning was the most productive of the three early round trippers, as it plated Aledmys Diaz and Carlos Perez to push Oakland's lead to 5-0 at the time. Smith has now hit safely in four consecutive starts, slowly crawling out of an early-season hole at the plate that is responsible for his slash line still sitting at an abysmal .186/.186/.279, even when factoring in recent success.
-
Wander Franco SS | TB
Rays' Wander Franco: Dazzles against Astros
Franco went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.
The 22-year-old shortstop didn't just dominate offensively either, as he made an incredible barehanded catch on a dead sprint into foul territory that required him to cover 96 feet in a little over five seconds. Franco is emerging as a superstar in 2023, slashing .318/.388/.580 through 22 games with four homers, five steals, 13 runs and 14 RBI, and the only thing standing between him and a potential 30-30 campaign could be his ability to stay healthy.
-
Jeremy Pena SS | HOU
Astros' Jeremy Pena: Pops fourth homer
Pena went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Rays.
The shortstop took rookie Taj Bradley deep in the third inning, briefly giving the Astros their last lead of the game at 3-2. Pena has had trouble stringing together hits so far this season, slashing just .217/.280/.413 through 23 games, but he's maintained solid fantasy production with four homers, six steals, 13 RBI and 16 runs. The RBI on Monday was his first in the last four games, and he's struck out six times over that span.
-
Ezequiel Duran SS | TEX
Rangers' Ezequiel Duran: Hits in six straight
Duran went 3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 7-6 loss to the Reds.
Duran, who made a second consecutive start at shortstop, extended his hitting streak to six games, during which he's 10-for-22 with four extra-base hits, six RBI, four runs and his first stolen base of the season. Duran (against lefties) and Josh Smith (righties) are holding down shortstop while Corey Seager works his way back from a hamstring injury. Seager, who initiated baseball activities Monday, is not due back until mid-May.
-
Corey Seager SS | TEX
Rangers' Corey Seager: Begins baseball activities
Seager (hamstring) played catch and took swings Monday, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.
This was the first activity of any kind for Seager, who suffered a hamstring injury April 11 and landed on the injured list. He was given a recovery time of a month, putting him in line to return mid-May.
-
Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: Collects two more hits Monday
Baez (finger) went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Monday's win over the Brewers.
Baez sprained his left middle finger on a slide into second base Saturday and was then scratched from the lineup Sunday. The shortstop looked fine in his return, and he's now 12-for-32 over his last 10 games to bring his season average up to .222. It's still been a disappointing start for Baez overall, though his recent stretch has been promising, and he appears to be healthy.
-
Yu Chang SS | TB
Red Sox's Yu Chang: Headed for further testing
Chang (wrist) is expected to undergo further testing Tuesday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Chang left Monday's matchup with a left wrist injury, and manager Alex Cora noted after the game that the 27-year-old was still in pain. Cora stated that the team expects to add a player to the major-league roster prior to Tuesday night's action, which likely means Chang is headed to the injured list.
-
Yu Chang SS | TB
Red Sox's Yu Chang: Exits with hand injury
Chang left Monday's game against the Orioles after suffering a left wrist injury, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
The severity of Chang's injury is unclear at this time, but this would be a brutal blow to Boston's infield depth if he's forced to miss significant time. Christian Arroyo replaced the 27-year-old at shortstop.
-
Javier Baez SS | DET
Tigers' Javier Baez: In Monday's lineup
Baez (finger) will start at shortstop and bat third Monday in Milwaukee.
Baez had to depart Sunday's loss to the Orioles due to swelling in his left middle finger, but he's back out there a day later. The veteran shortstop is off to a dreadful .203/.253/.246 start at the dish this season.