MLB Player News

Smith is absent from the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the Orioles, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Dustin Harris will patrol right field for the Astros in the first game of the twin bill. Smith will likely be back at the position for Thursday's night game.

Miles walked one and struck out three in two scoreless innings of relief during Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The rookie Rule 5 pick handled the last two innings for the Blue Jays to protect a 7-1 lead, and Miles has no trouble with the assignment, tossing 16 of 26 pitches for strikes. While the 25-year-old right-hander has predictably been limited to low-leverage spots, he has looked like he belongs in the majors, producing a 2.87 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB through his first 15.2 MLB innings.

Clement went 1-for-5 with a two-run home run in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

The 30-year-old infielder took Greg Weissert deep in the fourth inning for his first long ball of the season. Clement has hit safely in 15 of his last 18 games, slashing a sizzling .320/.338/.493 over that stretch with 10 doubles, six RBI and eight runs.

Springer went 1-for-2 with an RBI in Wednesday's win over the Red Sox.

Activated from the IL earlier in the day after being out since April 11 due to a fractured toe, Springer didn't get the start but pinch hit for Yohendrick Pinango in the fifth inning and promptly rapped out an RBI single. Springer should return to his usual starting spot at DH as soon as Thursday against the Twins, but he has yet to get going at the plate, slashing .196/.297/.375 through 15 games with two homers and seven RBI.

Perez is absent from the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Perez has been playing fairly regularly between right and center field since he was recalled, but he'll take seat Thursday. Matt Vierling will occupy center field for Detroit in the series finale.

Dingler is not in the lineup for Thursday's game in Atlanta.

Dingler started at catcher in the first two games of the series, so he'll get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Jake Rogers is behind the dish and batting ninth as the Tigers try to avoid the sweep.

Barger will run the bases Thursday for the first time since injuring both his ankles on an awkward landing at first base April 5, and if that goes well he could begin a rehab assignment this weekend, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

A return to the lineup next week remains firmly on the table for Barger. The 26-year-old had gotten off to a slow start, going 1-for-19 (.053) through eight games before getting injured, so the organization may not rush him back from the rehab stint in order to give him a chance to find his timing at the plate. Once he's activated from the IL, Barger should reclaim his starting role against right-handed pitching in right field.

The Orioles recalled Espada from Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.

Espada will serve as the 27th man for the Orioles during their doubleheader Thursday versus the Astros. The 29-year-old hasn't been particularly sharp with Norfolk in the early going, allowing seven runs (six earned) with a 7:9 K:BB over 10 frames. Espada will likely be sent back down after Thursday's games.

The Astros recalled Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday.

Alexander will serve as the 27th man during Thursday's doubleheader against the Orioles. The right-hander has collected a 4.97 ERA and 20:10 K:BB over 29 innings covering six starts with Sugar Land this season. He will give the bullpen length Thursday before likely returning to the minors after the twin bill.

Jung went 1-for-4 with two RBI in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Yankees.

Jung's two-run single in the fifth inning was all the Rangers needed and extended a hit streak to nine games, during which he's 12-for-32 with six extra-base hits (two home runs) and nine RBI. It continued an impressive resurrection of the third baseman's bat. Since going 4-for-29 (.138) with one RBI over the first eight games, Jung has slashed .389/.458/.708 with 15 extra-base hits (four home runs), 16 RBI and 11 runs over the next 20 contests. That stretch has also earned him a higher placement in the order; Jung served as the No. 2 hitter the last three games.