MLB Player News

Smith was not given the save opportunity in Thursday's 3-1 win over Tigers.

Smith remains locked in as Cleveland's closer, but he recorded saves each of the previous two games and was unavailable Thursday after burning 36 pitches in those contests. Hunter Gaddis worked around a hit while striking out two in picking up his first save of the season.

Bailey went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Thursday's 3-1 win over Detroit.

Bailey's solo home run the eighth inning provided some insurance in the final game of the Guardians' four-game sweep of the Tigers. It was his first home run and just the second hit since coming over from San Francisco earlier this month. In six games for his new team, Bailey is 2-for-18 with three RBI. Since Bailey's arrival, there's been an even split behind the plate between him and Austin Hedges.

The Athletics returned Clarke (foot) from his rehab assignment Thursday after he suffered a left hamstring strain while playing in a rehab game at Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

An MRI confirmed Thursday that Clarke suffered a high-grade hamstring strain, so the team will shut him down from all activity and re-evaluate him after the All-Star break. An updated timeline for his recovery will become available once the second half of the season begins, but the 26-year-old outfielder will presumably need an extended amount of time to build back up once he's cleared to resume activity, likely pushing his return date well into August, at minimum. Henry Bolte should continue to receive the bulk of starts in center field with Clarke sidelined.

Rocchio went 3-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Tigers.

Batting out of the nine hole, Rocchio sparked a two-run rally with a two-out double and immediately scored on a Daniel Schneemann double. Rocchio's been rolling in May and is now 14-for-33 with two doubles, a triple, a home run, three steals, eight RBI and nine runs scored over the last 11 contests. He began the year at second base but has since moved over to shortstop after Gabriel Arias (hamstring) landed on the 10-day injured list. It was recently reported that Arias' rehab "hit a little snag" and will be out longer than expected. Whether it's at shortstop or second base, Rocchio's place in the lineup should be stable given his strong production at the plate.

Bolte is not in the lineup Thursday versus Angels.

Bolte started in the first three games of the four games series against the Angels. He's gone 2-for-13 with a double, walk and stolen base in the series, but he will begin the final game of the series on the bench. Tyler Soderstrom, Lawrence Butler and Carlos Cortes are the starting outfielders for the Athletics on Thursday.

The Red Sox optioned Kelly to Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Kelly had been solid out of the bullpen for Boston with a 3.31 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and a 14:7 K:BB through 17 appearances. The demotion is a mild surprise given that the right-hander had been great in his last 12 games with a 1.64 ERA and 11 strikeouts. He seems likely to get another look in the majors later this season.

Soler isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Soler will get a chance to rest his legs Thursday after blasting his ninth homer of the season during the Angels' extra-inning loss Wednesday. Mike Trout will occupy the DH spot while Soler rests, giving Jose Siri an opportunity to start in center field.

Moncada isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Moncada is slashing just .191/.310/.300 through 129 plate appearances this season, and Thursday's game will be the third consecutive contest that he's begun on the bench. Vaughn Grissom will start at the hot corner while Moncada sits, and that may be the new norm for the Angels going forward.

O'Hoppe isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Athletics, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

O'Hoppe will get a break during Thursday's series finale after going 2-for-11 with two runs scored and four strikeouts across the first three games of the series. Sebastian Rivero will fill in behind the plate and bat eighth.

The Red Sox will call up Guerrero from Triple-A Worcester prior to Friday's contest versus the Twins, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.

It's a story of perseverance for the 35-year-old Guerrero, who has not pitched in the big leagues since 2019. He's earned the promotion by collecting a 0.92 ERA and 22:6 K:BB over 19.2 innings while notching three saves with Worcester. It's unclear what the corresponding move will be in order to free up a roster spot for Guerrero.