MLB Player News

Smith went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Smith was caught stealing on his first attempt of the game, but he found success on his second try. The utility player has upped his speed productivity lately, swiping three bags while going 8-for-28 (.286) over his last seven games. He's at a .266/.333/.397 slash line with five home runs, 16 RBI, 22 runs scored and eight steals on 11 attempts through 54 contests this season. Smith continues to find a place in the lineup without having a set position -- he's seen time at first base, third base, shortstop and designated hitter in the last week alone.

Burger went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Burger has gone 7-for-23 (.304) with three RBI over his last six games. The homer was his first since May 25 versus the White Sox. The infielder is up to eight homers, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored, 10 doubles, one stolen base and a .220/.250/.407 slash line over 52 games this season. Burger continues to offer some power, but it has come with mediocre plate discipline and a low batting average this year.

Semien went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Rays.

Semien went deep in the fifth and seventh innings to give the Rangers a 3-1 lead. Things unraveled in the ninth for Texas, but Semien continued a productive stretch that has seen him homer three times over the last six games for half of his output on the year. The second baseman is at a .210/.298/.308 slash line, 23 RBI, 21 runs scored and five stolen bases over 62 contests. Considering he has just nine extra-base hits on the year after posting 52 of them in 2024, he is due for a bit more power.

Garcia (1-3) allowed three runs on four hits and a walk over two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss and a blown save in Thursday's 4-3 defeat versus the Rays.

Garcia may have been rusty, as he had not pitched since May 28 versus the Blue Jays. This was his first blown save since appearing to take over the closer role in late May, but he has allowed six runs over his his last 5.1 innings. The 28-year-old is at a 3.28 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 23:9 K:BB while adding three saves, 10 holds and two blown saves over 24.2 innings this season. The Rangers' bullpen situation continues to be somewhat fluid, so Garcia is unlikely to suddenly lose all of his high-leverage work, but he'll need to regain his footing soon to be a long-term option in the ninth inning.

Leiter allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out six over five innings in a no-decision Thursday versus the Rays.

Leiter has allowed three hits or fewer in five of his last six outings, a stretch in which he's gone at least five innings during each start. Thursday's effort was the first time in that span that he hasn't issued multiple walks, and the solo shot he allowed to Junior Caminero was the lone run on his line. Limiting baserunners is always good to see, and that's helped Leiter find decent success lately, though he's earned just two wins despite having a 2.20 ERA over his last five starts. On the year, he has a 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 42:24 K:BB through 51.2 innings. The right-hander's next start is projected to be at Minnesota next week.

Caminero went 2-for-4 with a solo home run, an additional RBI and two total runs scored in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Rangers.

Caminero opened the scoring with a solo shot in the second inning and also set the Rays on the comeback trail with an RBI single in the ninth. The third baseman has upped his power game with six homers, three doubles and 16 RBI over his last eight games. He's now at 15 long balls, 40 RBI, 34 runs scored, 13 doubles, four stolen bases and a .262/.293/.520 slash line through 58 contests overall.

Pepiot allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the Rangers on Thursday.

Pepiot delivered another quality start but was unable to extend his streak of scoreless outings to three. He surrendered solo home runs to Jake Burger and Marcus Semien in this contest, but he was spared the loss when the Rays rallied for a walk-off win in the ninth inning. Pepiot has logged six straight quality starts, allowing nine runs over his last 37.2 innings. He's at a 3.20 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 64:22 K:BB across 76 innings through 13 starts this season. His next outing is projected to be a road start in Boston.

Dunn signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on Thursday, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports.

Dunn spent the start of the 2025 season with the White Sox, but he was released by the team on May 28. He'll likely report to Triple-A Omaha for the Royals, though it's unclear if he'll work as a starter or reliever.

Hoffmann was returned to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday.

Hoffmann was optioned earlier Thursday but stuck on the roster thanks to the Royals' doubleheader against St. Louis. He didn't appear in either contest and has entered only one game in the majors in 2025.

Fermin went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a 7-5 win over the Cardinals in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader.

Fermin's playing time has declined to begin June. He's hit safely in the last six games where he's received a plate appearance, but his effort in Thursday's nightcap was his first with multiple hits since May 6. The catcher is at a .255/.301/.340 slash line with two homers, eight RBI, 11 runs scored and three doubles over 114 plate appearances. If he can't turn things around with the bat, he'll likely continue to be confined to a backup role as Salvador Perez continues to be capable of working behind the plate as a starter.