MLB Player News

Smith (lower body/wrist) was diagnosed with viral meningitis Friday and is receiving treatment in a hospital, Kennedi Landry of MLB.com reports.

Smith is expected to remain in the hospital for 7-to-10 days. The 28-year-old utility man had already been dealing with a glute strain and a wrist issue, and there's currently no telling when he'll be back in the Rangers' lineup. Ezequiel Duran has been making regular starts at second base with Smith sidelined.

Woodruff (shoulder) tossed 25 pitches during a bullpen session Thursday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Woodruff told reporters Friday that he was pleased with his bullpen session. He is scheduled to throw again Monday and is expected to work multiple innings in a simulated session. Woodruff is recovering from right shoulder inflammation that cropped up in his last start in late April against the Diamondbacks. In six starts prior to landing on the IL, he had a 2-1 record with a 3.60 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 25:7 K:BB across 30 innings.

The Athletics optioned Barnett to Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.

After coming up from the minors Wednesday, Barnett will return to Triple-A without making an appearance for the A's in order to make room for the newly acquired Jose Suarez. The 25-year-old Barnett owns a 3.07 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 29.1 innings at Triple-A this season and remains an option to come up later in the year for a spot start or to give the Athletics length out of the bullpen.

Bradley (pectoral) threw a bullpen session Friday, Aaron Gleeman of AaronGleeman.com reports.

Bradley threw 20 pitches during his first mound session since landing on the injured list with right pectoral inflammation, and manager Derek Shelton said afterward that it went well. It remains unknown how far Bradley is from returning to the Twins' rotation, but he will need to resume facing live hitters before the team begins to consider activating him.

Anthony (wrist) began playing catch Friday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Friday marks the first time that Anthony has taken off his brace and done any sort of activity since he landed on the injured list last week with a sprained right wrist, and he said afterward that he feels like he's "in a good spot." The Red Sox have yet to provide a return timeline for the young outfielder, though that may come whenever he is cleared to begin a hitting progression.

General manager Mike Elias said Friday that Mountcastle is expected to return sometime in late June or July, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Mountcastle landed on the 60-day injured list April 13 after suffering a fracture in his left foot, so the earliest he could return would be June 12. However, it appears the Orioles expect him to need at least a few weeks beyond that. A more precise timeline will likely emerge once he starts to ramp up his activity.

Pena (illness) was placed on High-A Wisconsin's 7-day injured list Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.

Pena has been recovering from an incident in late April, when he had to go to the hospital after becoming overheated in the dugout. Per McCalvy, Pena has progressed enough in his recovery to resume baseball activities, and his move to the 7-day IL allows him to embark on a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.

Snelling will have his left elbow evaluated further by the medical staff next week, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

The 22-year-old southpaw landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a UCL sprain in his left elbow, just five days after making his major-league debut against the Nationals. Once Snelling undergoes more tests on his left elbow, the Marlins should have a better idea of whether the young left-hander will need to undergo surgery.

Westburg (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Wednesday, Andrew Golden of TheBanner.com reports.

Westburg's procedure will keep him out for the remainder of the 2026 campaign, but general manager Mike Elias said Friday that the 27-year-old infielder has a good chance to return to playing in the field full time by early 2027. Until then, Coby Mayo will likely take over as Baltimore's primary third baseman, though Jeremiah Jackson, Blaze Alexander and Weston Wilson are also candidates to make starts at the hot corner.

Freeman is not in the Dodgers' starting lineup against the Angels on Friday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Freeman will get a rare day off, with Dalton Rushing getting the start at first base and batting eighth in Friday's series opener. Since May 1, Freeman has gone 14-for-47 (.298) with one steal, one home run, five RBI and a 6:9 BB:K.