MLB Player News

Smith started at second base and went 0-for-2 with a walk and was hit by a pitch in Monday's 4-0 loss to the Angels.

Smith took over at second base with Marcus Semien (foot) on the 10-day injured list and likely done for the rest of the regular season. It was the third start at second base this season for Smith, who wears many gloves for Texas. He's had a rough go of it in August, slashing .197/.274/.250 with four RBI and six runs scored over 23 games this month.

Means (elbow) is slated to make his third rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Columbus, MLB.com reports.

Means will look to increase his workload Tuesday after tossing 51 pitches over 3.2 scoreless innings for High-A Lake County last Wednesday. After Tuesday's outing, Means will likely need at least one more rehab start before potentially returning from the 60-day injured list. Means has been on the shelf all season while completing his recovery from June 2024 Tommy John surgery.

Thomas (foot) took on-field batting practice Monday, MLB.com reports.

Thomas has participated in various baseball activities recently, but the Guardians still have no timetable for his potential return. The club is hopeful for a return at some point in September.

O'Hoppe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run Monday in a 4-0 victory versus Texas.

O'Hoppe produced the final run of the contest with a solo shot to center field in the ninth inning. The long ball was his first since July 21, a span of 20 games. Despite the long drought, O'Hoppe still ranks fifth among MLB backstops with 19 home runs on the season, though he also has the second-most strikeouts (123) of any player at the position.

Neto went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in a 4-0 win over the Rangers on Monday.

Neto got the Angels off to a strong start when he took Jacob deGrom deep to lead off the contest. It was the ninth time the talented young shortstop has led off a contest with a long ball this year, establishing a team franchise record. Neto has already accomplished a second straight 20-20 campaign with 22 homers and 23 thefts with over a month left to go in the regular season.

DeGrom (10-6) took the loss against the Angels on Monday, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over five innings.

After having his previous start skipped due to shoulder fatigue, deGrom looked healthy in throwing 90 pitches (56 strikes) over five frames. He pitched pretty well, racking up 15 whiffs and seven punchouts while allowing just two runs, but the Rangers couldn't back him up with any run support. Assuming deGrom recovers well from the start, there's no indication that he'll need to skip another turn in the rotation as the Rangers make a final push toward a wild-card spot. He's slated for a road matchup against the Athletics this weekend.

Soriano (9-9) threw 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing four hits and issuing one walk while striking out six batters, to earn the win over Texas on Monday.

Soriano's previous start had come eight days ago because he missed some time while on the paternity list. The extra days off appeared to serve the right-hander well, as he kept Texas from producing any extra-base hits over 5.2 scoreless frames. Soriano couldn't quite record a quality start -- he was pulled with two outs in the bottom of the sixth after allowing the final two batters he faced to reach base -- but this was nonetheless a strong bounce-back after he gave up five runs over 5.2 innings in his previous start. Soriano will try to build on Monday's excellent outing the next time he takes the mound, which lines up to be against Houston this weekend.

Lee went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run and a walk Monday in a 7-0 win over the Royals.

Lee was called up from Triple-A Charlotte on Friday, but he didn't get into any games over the weekend. However, the backstop was given a chance to start behind the plate Monday and made the most of the opportunity, crushing a two-run homer to left field in the fourth inning. The long ball was his first of the year in his 15th contest after he went deep 12 times over 125 games last season. Lee has hit pretty well with a .290/.353/.484 slash line during his limited time in the majors this season, but he doesn't figure to get much playing time with both Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero ahead of him on the catcher depth chart.

Cameron (7-6) took the loss against the White Sox on Monday, allowing six runs on eight hits with no walks or strikeouts over five innings.

Cameron struggled from the outset, giving up three first-inning runs on four hits, three of which were doubles. Of the eight knocks the lefty allowed overall, six (four doubles and two homers) went for extra bases. The six earned runs Cameron allowed tied his season-worst mark -- the other time he surrendered that many runs in a start was June 10 against the Yankees. Cameron came into the contest having allowed just three runs over 15.2 frames across his previous three starts, and he'll look to rebound in his next outing, which lines up to come against Detroit on Sunday.

Smith (4-7) earned the win over Kansas City on Monday, allowing one hit and one walk with three strikeouts over seven scoreless innings.

Chicago staked Smith to a 3-0 lead through one frame, and the rookie right-hander rolled with it in arguably his most impressive start of the campaign. Smith was very efficient in needing just 80 pitches (54 strikes) to get through the seven innings, and the only hit he allowed was a Mike Yastrzemski double in the third. The outstanding effort allowed Smith to snap a nine-game winless stretch, a span in which he struggled to a 7.22 ERA and 0-4 record over 38.2 frames. Monday also marked Smith's first quality start since his previous victory, which came June 10 against Houston.