MLB Player News

The Rangers reinstated Smith (shoulder) from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. He'll start at third base and bat eighth in the Rangers' series opener against the Phillies.

Smith was deactivated June 4 due to a sprained left shoulder, but he moved past the injury in relatively expedient fashion and was cleared to rejoin the roster after going 3-for-16 with a walk, an RBI and a run during his four-game rehab assignment with Triple-A Round Rock last week. The Rangers will immediately slot him back into the starting nine Tuesday, but it's unclear if Smith or fellow rookie Ezequiel Duran will end up settling in as the team's preferred third baseman moving forward. Smith also saw time in center field with Round Rock earlier in the campaign and could be an option at that position if the Rangers at some point decide to pull the plug on Leody Taveras in an everyday role.

Marte owns a .234/.329/.365 slash line with 17 extra-base hits and 23 RBI across 20 games at High-A Everett this season.

The precocious 20-year-old has hit a bit of a speed bump this season after an impressive showing over a modest eight-game stint with High-A Everett at the tail end of the 2021 minor-league campaign. Marte has seen a slight bump in strikeout rate to 25.5 percent from his 22.2 percent figure at Modesto last season, and Brent Stecker of 710 ESPN Seattle reports Marte's average has been under .250 since May 25.

Abrams went 0-for-3 in Monday's 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks.

Abrams was called up for his second stint with San Diego on Monday, and he immediately slotted into the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing shortstop. He wasn't able to reach base, dropping his season slash line in the majors to .172/.258/.259. Abrams is expected to draw plenty of starts while Manny Machado (ankle) is out of action.

Castillo is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Cubs.

On the bench against a right-handed starting pitcher (Matt Swarmer) for the second straight day, Castillo looks like he'll have to settle for a short-side platoon role for the Pirates, who are giving the lefty-hitting Hoy Park a look at the keystone. Castillo's opportunities could become more scarce within the next week or so, as fellow infielders Kevin Newman (groin) and Josh VanMeter (finger) will start rehab assignments at Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and could be activated from the injured list after playing a few games in the minors.

Allen was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Allen will return to the big leagues after being sent down May 22. The shortstop has produced a .174 batting average with two doubles, two runs and a stolen base over 23 at-bats in two stints with the Athletics this season. He's been red hot in June with Las Vegas, producing a .365/.500/.538 slash line with a home run, six doubles and 11 RBI in 16 games. With the Athletics out of playoff contention, it's possible that the 24-year-old sticks around for a while.

Anderson went 2-for-5 with a run scored Monday against the Blue Jays.

Anderson was activated from the injured list Monday and immediately returned to his customary role as the White Sox's leadoff hitter. He singled in his first plate appearance and also came around to score, showing little rust. Anderson has been excellent this season, maintaining a .357/.393/.500 line with five home runs and eight stolen bases across 41 games.

Franco (quadriceps) is set to move his rehab assignment Wednesday to Triple-A Durham from the Rays' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

Between games Saturday and Monday in the FCL, Franco went 3-for-7 with a pair of extra-base hits, an RBI and a run scored. Even though he ended up getting a tough test Monday with rehabbing Red Sox starter Chris Sale (rib cage) on the mound for Boston's FCL affiliate, Franco will have higher-level minor-league pitching in Durham, with whom he's expected to appear in games Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. He'll be re-evaluated thereafter and could be cleared to return from the 10-day injured list for the Rays' game Saturday versus the Pirates.

Velazquez went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and a run scored in Monday's 6-2 loss to the Royals.

Velazquez has logged two steals over his last three games, though he's also struck out five times in that span. The shortstop is up to 10 thefts this season, and he's yet to get caught stealing. He's posted a lackluster .175/.219/.273 slash line with four home runs, 17 RBI, 19 runs scored and six doubles across 197 plate appearances, and it's expected he could see a challenge for playing time from utility man Tyler Wade going forward.

Cruz went 2-for-5 with a double, four RBI and two runs scored in Monday's 12-1 win over the Cubs.

Cruz was as advertised in his season debut Monday, flashing his potential as a five-tool star. His most impactful moment was a rocket line-drive double that brought in three runs during the third inning. Per MLB Pipeline, the 23-year-old shortstop recorded the fastest throw by an MLB infielder this season while also posting elite sprint speeds. Cruz posted a .758 OPS with Triple-A Indianapolis this season but it looks like he'll be a permanent fixture in the Pirates' lineup moving forward.

Anderson (groin) was activated off the injured list Monday and will lead off and play shortstop against the Blue Jays.

Anderson was given a three-week timetable when he hit the injured list with a strained right groin at the end of May, and he'll be back right on schedule after going 5-for-15 across four rehab games. He was having an excellent season prior to his injury, hitting .356/.393/.503 with five homers and eight steals in 40 games, so the White Sox will be counting on him to kickstart a stalled season. Yoan Moncada (hamstring) hit the injured list in a corresponding move.