MLB Player News

Rafaela went 2-for-5 with a double, a triple and two runs scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over Kansas City.

Rafaela has hit safely in four straight games and six of the last seven, going 10-for-25 (.400) with five extra-base hits and five runs scored. Rafaela has shown sporadic signs that he's about to break out of a season-opening funk, and this most recent stretch has bumped his batting average to a season-high .246.

Sogard started at first base and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in Saturday's 10-1 win over the Royals.

Sogard was summoned from Triple-A Worcester earlier in the day and was added to the starting nine after Romy Gonzalez (back), who had been serving as the primary first baseman in the absence of Triston Casas (knee), was placed on the 10-day injured list. Sogard is a utility infielder with experience at second base, shortstop and third base, but he'll expand his resume to include first base while working in a timeshare with Abraham Toro.

Smith started at first base and went 1-for-5 with a solo home run in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Tigers.

Smith got things rolling in the blowout win, homering off Jack Flaherty to lead off the game, and the Rangers followed with four more long balls before the day was done. Smith started at first base for the third time in the last five contests. In the other two games, he filled in at shortstop for Corey Seager, who was nursing a mild hamstring strain. Smith may be the choice at first base against right-handers following Jake Burger's demotion. Smith is slashing .315/.387/.477 with four home runs, 10 RBI, four steals and 18 runs through 34 games.

Pederson went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Saturday's 10-3 win over Detroit.

Pederson got in on a homer barrage, belting one of four home runs off Jack Flaherty in the first three innings. It was the first home run of the season for Pederson, who is showing life following a dismal start. The slugger is 8-for-31 (.258) with five extra-base hits, three RBI and three runs scored over the last 11 games.

Carter started in center field and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Saturday's 10-3 win over the Tigers.

The Rangers turned Comerica Park into a launching pad, homering four times in the first three innings off Jack Flaherty and five times overall. Carter poked his first homer of the season in the second inning. Since being called up, he's started in center field whenever the Rangers have faced a right-hander.

Sweeney is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rangers, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Sweeney started the previous 19 games and had a .736 OPS during that stretch, but he will head to the bench after striking out in all four of his plate appearances Saturday to don a Golden Sombrero. Zach McKinstry will step in at shortstop for the series finale versus Texas.

Cantillo allowed five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings in Saturday's 7-1 loss to the Phillies.

Cantillo entered with a runner on base and one out in the eighth inning, turning a 1-0 deficit into a 7-0 game after the left-hander allowed the first seven batters he faced to reach base. Cantillo had been effective out of the bullpen prior to this disaster and entered Saturday with a 1.96 ERA over 18.1 innings.

Ramirez went 2-for-3 with a walk, a double and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-1 loss to Philadelphia.

Ramirez has reached base safely in nine consecutive games, going 13-for-34 with four walks, four steals, four doubles, a home run, four RBI and five runs scored. He leads the Guardians with nine steals on the season.

High-A Cedar Rapids placed Amick on its 7-day injured list May 2 due to a left oblique strain.

The 22-year-old infielder slashed .338/.465/.442 with 14 runs and 12 RBI over 99 plate appearances before being shelved with the injury.

The Guardians are hopeful Thomas (wrist) will begin a rehab assignment this week, MLB.com reports.

Thomas ramped up to baseball activities within the last week, and manager Stephen Vogt said Friday that the outfielder is "pain free." Cleveland is targeting a mid-to-late May return for Thomas.