MLB Player News

Smith isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Athletics, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.

Smith will get a chance to regroup Saturday after going hitless in four of his last five games. While he sits, LaMonte Wade, Jake Meyers and Taylor Trammell will form the Astros' outfield trio.

Keaschall isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Keaschall will step out of the starting nine Saturday after going 0-for-7 with a walk and two strikeouts through the first two games of the series. Royce Lewis will replace him as Minnesota's second baseman and bat seventh.

Buxton (shoulder) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Royals.

Buxton injured his right shoulder colliding with the outfield wall while making a catch Friday, and the Twins will give him a day off Saturday so that he can recover. Ryan Kreidler will patrol center field in Buxton's stead.

Bennett is the top candidate to replace Brayan Bello in Boston's starting rotation, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Bello was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, and Boston will need to fill his spot next Tuesday against Tampa Bay. Bennett is the most logical option, given that he's made a couple of starts for Boston already this season. He last pitched Tuesday for the WooSox and will be on extra rest against the Rays.

Sandoval (biceps) walked one over 1.1 innings for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.

Sandoval had been scheduled to throw one inning, but he went back out after cruising through his first inning, per Triple-A Worcester's official site. The left-hander restarted a rehab assignment that was scrapped in April. At that time, he was rehabbing from an internal brace procedure on his elbow but was set back by the biceps.

Varsho (wrist) isn't in the lineup for Saturday's game against Baltimore.

Varsho was forced to make an early exit from Friday's contest due to left wrist inflammation, and the Blue Jays will give him a chance to rest Saturday while Myles Straw starts in center field.

Higashioka went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Friday's 3-2 win over Cleveland.

Higashioka ignited Texas' three-run sixth inning with a leadoff homer, his fourth of the season. The blast also extended a hit streak to four games, during which he's 7-for-13 with three extra-base hits, two RBI and five runs scored. He's appeared in 32 games and is essentially sharing catching duties with Danny Jansen (41 games), but Higashioka has been the better hitter. He's has a .712 OPS compared to Jansen's .586 OPS.

Langford batted leadoff and went 1-for-4 with a double and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 win over the Guardians.

Langford was activated from the injured list and slotted in at leadoff for the first time this season. He doubled and scored as part of the Rangers' three-run sixth inning, which also featured a home run from the returning Corey Seager, who batted behind Langford in the two hole against lefty starter Parker Messick. Langford had been out since April 21 with a flexor strain in his right forearm. There was a setback early in his rehab that extended his stay on the IL.

Kwan went 2-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Friday's 3-2 loss to Texas.

Kwan's season-opening slump has impacted his role on the team in various ways. He's no longer leading off, and Friday's steal was just his third a little more than a third of the way through the season. He's had double-digit steals in all four previous MLB seasons but is now on pace for fewer than 10. While the slump hasn't cost the left-handed batter starts against southpaws yet, Kwan was pinch hit for in the ninth inning against the left-handed Jacob Latz. He's batting just .176 against southpaws in 2026.

Rooker went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 5-1 loss to the Astros.

Rooker delivered the Athletics' lone run, launching a loud solo homer over the left-field wall in the sixth inning. The 31-year-old was out of Thursday's lineup against the Cubs due to knee soreness, though he was called upon to pinch hit in that contest, and his quick return to the lineup Friday suggests the injury is not a significant concern. It has been a challenging season to date for Rooker, as he's hitting .196 with a .650 OPS, nine homers, 27 RBI, 17 runs and two stolen bases across 45 games.