MLB Player News

Smith (calf) is starting Wednesday's game against the Royals.

Smith was removed from Tuesday's win over the Royals due to a right calf contusion, but he'll start at third base and lead off a day later. Over his last six games, he's gone 3-for-15 with three runs, a stolen base, five walks and three strikeouts.

Castillo went 1-for-3 with a solo home run Tuesday against the Nationals.

Castillo continued to display power, mashing his fifth home run in his last eight starts. He has eight home runs on the season but is still hitting just .195/.236/.357 across 199 plate appearances. The return of Josh VanMeter has crowded the team's infield, though Castillo drew the start in right field Tuesday at the expense of Bligh Madris.

Turner went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in a 7-4 loss to the Rockies on Tuesday.

Turner took advantage of the thin Colorado air to hit his 11th home run of the season. The consensus first-round fantasy pick heading into the season has been consistent all year long, and he now has 54 RBI to go along with 15 stolen bases and an elite .311 batting average, the latter figure good for 14th in MLB.

Seager went 2-for-4 with a two-run double and a run in an 8-3 win over the Royals on Tuesday.

Seager helped the Rangers knock opposing starter Jonathan Heasley from the game in the fourth inning by doubling to left center to drive in a pair of baserunners. Although he's a career .290 hitter, Seager is only sporting a .231 average in 281 at-bats this season. At least for the time being, the veteran shortstop appears to have swapped out his tendency to hit for average in exchange for power; he already has 15 homers on the season, putting him well in pace to exceed the career-high 26 he slugged in 2016 if he remains healthy.

Velazquez went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Tuesday's 11-4 loss to the White Sox.

Velazquez hasn't posted a multi-hit game in June, but he's hit three of his five homers while batting a paltry .119 (8-for-67) this month. The shortstop continues to play regularly, though he often hits at the bottom of the order. He's batting .175/.220/.280 with 20 RBI, 22 runs scored and 10 stolen bases through 216 plate appearances.

Anderson went 3-for-6 with a run scored in Tuesday's 11-4 win over the Angels.

Anderson did well in a table-setting role, but a hitless performance from Andrew Vaughn in the No. 2 spot limited the leadoff hitter's involvement in run production. This was Anderson's 10th three-hit game of the year. He's batting an excellent .344/.382/.467 with five home runs, 19 RBI, 29 runs scored, 10 stolen bases and nine doubles through 207 plate appearances. A career-best 11.6 percent strikeout rate has amplified his steady contact skills, while his counting stats are lagging due to a groin injury that cost him three weeks.

Smith exited Tuesday's win over the Royals with a right calf contusion, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith hit leadoff and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs, but he fouled a pitch off he calf and was lifted for a pinch hitter during the eighth inning. The 24-year-old's removal was labeled precautionary, so there's a chance he'll be available for Wednesday's series finale in Kansas City.

Fletcher (hip) advanced to hitting on the field Tuesday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

The 28-year-old continues to progress in his rehab work after undergoing surgery to repair the adductor muscles in both legs May 10. Fletcher will be eligible to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a couple weeks, but he's unlikely to be ready at that point since he figures to require at least a handful of rehab games in the minors.

The Marlins promoted Salas from Single-A Jupiter to High-A Beloit on Tuesday.

Salas turned in a .267/.355/.421 slash line in 257 plate appearances on Jupiter fo the season, but he had really heated up at the plate in June, as he produced a .993 OPS over his 21 games on the month. The 19-year-old switch hitter was also efficient on the basepaths, nabbing 15 steals on 16 attempts. The Marlins had been giving Salas exposure to multiple positions at Jupiter, with the teenager receiving starts at second base, shortstop and third base.

Perdomo will sit Tuesday against the Padres.

Perdomo sits after going hitless in his last nine games. Jake Hager will take over at shortstop.