MLB Player News

Smith's absence from the lineup Wednesday against the Rays could be related to him being hit on the right wrist by a pitch in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Smith was able to play the full nine-inning game Tuesday, but he could be dealing with some residual pain in the wrist after he was hit by a pitch for the second time in the contest. Andy Ibanez will draw the start at third base Wednesday, but assuming his wrist issue isn't anything more than a day-to-day concern, Smith looks like he'll get a chance to play regularly against both right- and left-handed pitching.

Smith is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rays.

Smith had a productive first two starts in the big leagues, rapping out three hits and reaching base five times in total while scoring twice and contributing a stolen base. He still appears to have the edge on the everyday job at third base, but Smith will cede duties at the hot corner to Andy Ibanez on Wednesday.

Baez isn't starting Wednesday against the Twins.

Baez will get a breather after he hit just .129 with a double, an RBI, a walk and eight strikeouts over the last eight games. Harold Castro will take over at shortstop and bat second.

Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in a loss to the Yankees on Tuesday.

One of the Angels' few threats in the game came in the eighth inning, when Juan Lagares led off with a double and Velazquez followed with a single. Velazquez subsequently stole second to put a pair of runners in scoring position with nobody out, but Los Angeles was unable to score. Velazquez is just over the Mendoza Line with a .203 average on the season, but he's tied for seventh in the American League with eight stolen bases.

Smith (knee) is starting Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Smith sat out Tuesday's matchup due to a bruised knee, but he'll start at the hot corner and bat eighth Wednesday. He went 1-for-11 with a double and two strikeouts over the his last three games.

Smith started at third base and went 0-for-1, was twice hit by a pitch and stole a base in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Tampa Bay.

Smith has made consecutive starts at the hot corner, one against either handedness of pitcher, since the Rangers selected his contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Monday. Texas third basemen rank last in MLB with a .544 OPS, so there's an opportunity for Smith to move ahead of Andy Ibanez and Charlie Culberson.

Seager went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Rays.

Both Seager and Adolis Garcia bopped homers in the fourth inning to account for all of the Rangers' scoring. The shortstop is up to 11 homers after hitting three over the last four games.

Franco (quadriceps), who was placed on the 10-day injured list earlier Tuesday, said he hopes to rejoin the active roster in about two weeks, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Franco also indicated his absence could be longer as his rehab process goes day-by-day, but at this point there's hope he won't be sidelined much beyond the 10-day minimum. Taylor Walls should work as Tampa Bay's primary shortstop in the meantime, with Vidal Brujan and Isaac Paredes likely to see more time between second and third base.

Manager Tony La Russa said Tuesday he hopes Anderson (groin) will return from the 10-day injured list in three weeks, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

The 28-year-old landed on the shelf with a strained right groin earlier Tuesday, and the White Sox don't expected him back for at least a couple weeks. Anderson could require a minor-league rehab assignment before rejoining the active roster, though his outlook isn't likely to receive much clarity until he resumes ramping up baseball activities.

Smith (knee) is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Astros, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

The 25-year-old exited Monday's matchup with Houston due to a knee bruise, and he'll be withheld from the lineup for at least one game. Manager Mark Kotay previously said he expected Smith to be available Tuesday, so there's a chance he makes an appearance off the bench.