MLB Player News

Guerrero was removed from Friday's contest versus the Cubs in the sixth inning with an apparent back/side injury, Sportsnet reports.

Vlad Jr. popped out on the first pitch of the top of the sixth inning and immediately grabbed at his back/left side area before jogging slowly to first base. He was removed from the game prior to the bottom of the sixth. The Blue Jays should offer more on Guerrero's condition soon. He was hitless in three plate appearances before departing.

Texas transferred Helman (hand) to the 60-day injured list Friday.

Helman was placed on the 10-day IL on June 14 after suffering multiple fractures in his right hand after being hit by a pitch. The Rangers decided to move the 30-year-old to the 60-day IL in order to free up a spot on the 40-man roster for Jarred Kelenic. Helman has appeared in just 15 games for Texas this season, recording 35 plate appearances.

Poulin will start Friday's game against the Rays.

The left-hander has served as an opener eight times this season and will pick up another start Friday after scheduled starter Cade Cavalli (illness) was scratched. Poulin hasn't covered more than two frames in any of his 29 outings this year, so he'll likely give way to the Washington bullpen after a frame or two.

The Rangers optioned Smith to Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Smith was just activated from the 10-day injured list earlier this week after being out since early May with glute and wrist injuries as well as viral meningitis. He still leads Texas with 28 starts at second base this season even with all the missed time, but Smith has managed just a .218/.316/.248 slash line covering 117 plate appearances. He should be back with the big club later this season, but for now he'll try to get his swing in order at Round Rock.

The Rangers selected Kelenic's contract from Triple-A Round Rock on Friday.

Kelenic will join his second major-league team this season as he will make his way to Arlington to join the Rangers. With Round Rock, the 26-year-old raked to the tune of a .340/.431/.620 slash line with three homers in 59 plate appearances. Texas optioned Josh Smith to Triple-A in order to make room for Kelenic on the active roster and transferred Michael Helman (hand) to the 60-day injured list to open a spot for Kelenic on the 40-man roster.

Bauers is not in the lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta.

The left-handed-hitting Bauers doesn't always sit versus lefty hurlers, but he will begin this one on the bench as Atlanta goes with southpaw Martin Perez. Blake Perkins will be in right field and Andrew Vaughn will cover first base in the series opener for the Brewers.

Garcia (hand) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

It's the third straight game on the bench for Garcia as he continues to manage soreness in his left hand. The 26-year-old departed Tuesday's matchup with the Nationals due to the injury, but it's actually a nagging issue that he's been dealing with throughout the past month. Nick Loftin is picking up another start at third base Friday.

WItt (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cardinals.

Witt departed Thursday's game against the Cardinals with an apparent knee issue after his right leg twisted under him on a sliding attempt at shortstop, and he'll sit for at least one game. A rare team day off Saturday will provide the All-Star shortstop two straight days of rest heading into Sunday's series finale.

Mead is absent from the lineup for Friday's contest against the Rays.

Mead will begin Friday's series opener on the bench after starting the last three and six of the past seven tilts. Jorbit Vivas is covering third base and batting eighth for the Nationals.

Harris (back) is not in the lineup for Friday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Harris is on the bench again after initially exiting Tuesday's contest due to lower-back tightness, with Thursday's rainout not providing him with sufficient time to recover. Mauricio Dubon is shifting to center field for Atlanta while Jorge Mateo starts at shortstop.