MLB Player News

The Diamondbacks will reinstate Lawlar (wrist) from the 60-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Reds, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Lawlar has been on the shelf since early April due to a fractured right wrist. He was cleared to begin a rehab assignment May 30 and has since gone 6-for-28 with four walks, two RBI and five runs scored over eight games. Once activated, he'll be a candidate to start in the outfield until Lourdes Gurriel (hamstring) returns from the IL.

Montgomery (back) will start at third base and bat cleanup in Thursday's game against Atlanta.

The 24-year-old infielder will step back into the starting nine after a tight back kept him from playing the past two days. Over his first six games of June, Montgomery has gone 3-for-23 (.130 average) with a home run, three runs and two RBI while striking out at a 44.4 percent clip.

The Tigers transferred Baez (ankle) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

The transaction frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for waiver claim James Outman. Baez encountered a setback earlier this month with his right high-ankle sprain and remains shut down from baseball activities. He's now ineligible for activation until late June, but it seems unlikely Baez will be ready by then, anyway. A timeline for his return won't become clearer until he is able to ramp up activities again and eventually go out on a rehab assignment.

Smith (glute/wrist/illness) moved his rehab from Double-A Frisco to Triple-A Round Rock.

Smith started his rehab assignment, playing two games for Frisco before spending the last two contests with the Express. He's 3-for-12 with two walks, a home run, three RBI and three additional runs scored across the four appearances. Smith played back-to-back days in Triple-A on Tuesday and Wednesday. He played all nine innings in each game, logging a start apiece at first base and third base.

Williams went 2-for-3 with a solo home run in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Brewers.

Williams was playing in his 99th major-league Wednesday and finally clubbed his first homer, a sixth-inning blast off Brandon Sproat. Since he was traded from the Pirates on May 16, Williams has appeared in 16 games, batting .212 with a .599 OPS, four RBI, four runs scored, two doubles and no stolen bases over 35 plate appearances. He's part of a three-man battle for two spots in the lineup on the left side of the infield right now -- Williams has started six of the last eight games at shortstop but could cede some time to Max Muncy, who was activated from the injured list Monday after recovering from a broken hand. Zack Gelof's usage at third base is likely to impact Muncy's playing time, which could trickle down to Williams depending on who's got the hot bat.

Lopez went 2-for-5 with two RBI and one run scored during the Marlins' 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Lopez continued a great season with his fourth consecutive multi-hit game, his longest streak of the season so far. The shortstop increased his league-leading batting average to .342 and his hit total to 91.

McGonigle went 0-for-2 with three walks and two runs scored in Wednesday's 6-4 loss to the Twins.

While he didn't record any hits, McGonigle was still able to get on base frequently due to his good eye at the plate. The rookie now has 42 walks this season in 65 games versus only 38 strikeouts, and his .394 on-base percentage reflects his patient approach. McGonigle is locked in as Detroit's primary leadoff hitter, and he's having a tremendous debut campaign from a fantasy perspective.

Pena isn't in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Angels, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Pena will take a day to regroup after going 0-for-10 with two walks, four strikeouts and two steals over his last three games. While he rests, Shay Whitcomb will make a start at shortstop and bat seventh.

Griffin (elbow) did some flat-ground throwing from out to 90 feet Wednesday at about 75 percent intensity, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Griffin threw for the first time since he landed on the 10-day injured list May 31 due to a flexor strain in his right elbow. He also took part in fielding drills without throwing, which is something the rookie has done since first going on the IL. Griffin remains without a timeline to rejoin the Pirates' active roster, but more clarity on that front should become available as he continues to ramp up his throwing.

Gimenez is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Phillies.

Gimenez was an everyday player early on in the season, but the left-handed hitter has been out of the lineup against against most southpaws since late April. Ernie Clement will slide over to shortstop for the Blue Jays, and Charles McAdoo will enter the lineup at second base.