MLB Player News

Smith will miss the start of the season with a hand injury, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports.

It's unclear how serious the injury is. If it's a fracture, Smith could be out months, but Callis notes that the Yankees hope Smith will be able to join an affiliate (likely High-A or Double-A) in the near future.

Franco went 3-for-5 with a triple, stolen base, two RBI and a run in Triple-A Durham's 7-5 win over Memphis on Tuesday.

Playing above the High-A level for the first time in his career, the 20-year-old uber-prospect certainly didn't look out of place. He was responsible for the game's most pivotal hit, as his seventh-inning infield single plated the go-ahead run. Franco is poised to make his MLB debut at some point in 2021, and he could already represent a notable upgrade from the Rays' incumbent shortstop, Willy Adames, who has posted a .546 OPS through 30 games.

Bogaerts went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and two runs scored Tuesday against Detroit.

Bogaerts was part of a big offensive performance for Boston, smacking his sixth homer of the season in the second inning. He also managed his third consecutive multi-hit game, a stretch during which he's managed two home runs, four RBI, five runs scored and one stolen base. For the season, Bogaerts has a very strong .351/.385/.604 line with 17 RBI and 16 runs across 117 plate appearances.

Adames went 2-for-4 with a solo homer, a double and two runs scored in Monday's 7-3 win over the Angels.

Adames knocked a double and came around to score as part of a four-run third inning. He then took Jose Quintana deep the next inning for his third homer of the season and first since April 12. The 25-year-old shortstop entered Monday in a 2-for-31 slump over his last 10 games.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Monday that Mondesi (oblique) could begin a rehab assignment next week, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Mondesi has been progressing well in his recovery, and he recently began taking batting practice at the Royals' alternate training site. The 25-year-old will now join the team to participate in pregame activities such as work in the infield and batting practice, and he could see game action in the minors on a rehab assignment in the near future.

Wendle isn't starting Monday's game against the Angels, Neil Solondz of the Rays Radio Network reports.

The Angels are now starting left-hander Jose Quintana on Monday, so Wendle will retreat to the bench. Mike Brosseau will start at third base and bat second.

Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with a home run and an additional run scored in Sunday's loss against the Rangers.

Bogaerts went deep for the fifth time this season and delivered another multi-hit performance -- he has done that nine times already in 2021. The star shortstop has been one of Boston's most reliable weapons on offense this season and is hitting an impressive .349 with a .969 OPS across 112 plate appearances.

Crawford went 2-for-3 with an RBI double, a walk and a run in a loss to the Angels on Saturday.

Crawford continues to shrug off his typical slotting at the lowest rungs of the lineup to generate solid production, with Saturday's multi-hit effort pushing his season average and on-base percentage to a solid .264 and .330, respectively. Crawford has also managed a respectable eight RBI despite his unfavorable spot in the order by slashing .318/.348/.500 over 23 plate appearances with men in scoring position.

Chang is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

Chang had started at first base in each of Cleveland's last three games, but two of those starts came against left-handed pitchers. He'll take a seat Sunday with a righty (Lucas Giolito) on the hill for Chicago, allowing Jake Bauers to pick up a turn at first base. Chang looks like he'll remain in a short-side platoon role for the foreseeable future.

Houston manager Dusty Baker plans to work Diaz into right field, Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Diaz was mostly a shortstop and third baseman prior to joining the Astros, who have expanded his positional competency. He's filled in at first base, second base and left field during his time in Houston. The addition of right field to his portfolio would give Baker an option to the struggling Kyle Tucker, whose 0-for-4 effort on Saturday dropped his season average to .173.